Thyroid Profile (TSH, T3, T4)
A focused test for TSH, T3, T4.
Overview
Measures TSH, T3, T4. A single-sample test processed at an NABL-accredited lab, with reports in 6 hours and a free doctor review.
The full panel
3 tests across 1 groupEvery parameter, grouped by body system — no clicking to expand.
What this test measures
Three hormones that describe how the thyroid — the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck — is performing. TSH is the signal the pituitary sends telling the thyroid to work harder; T3 and T4 are the hormones the thyroid produces in response, and they set the pace of metabolism in almost every tissue.
Thyroid disorders are common, easily missed and highly treatable, and their symptoms — fatigue, weight change, hair fall, low mood, feeling cold or hot — overlap with a dozen other things. The thyroid function test (TFT) is ordered to explain those symptoms, to screen in pregnancy, and to monitor anyone already on thyroid medication.
Symptoms that lead to this test
- Fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin or feeling cold
- Palpitations, weight loss, tremor, anxiety or heat intolerance
- Hair fall or thinning of the outer eyebrows
- Irregular periods, or difficulty conceiving
- A swelling in the front of the neck
Understanding your results
TSH moves in the opposite direction to thyroid activity, which is the single most confusing thing about this report: a HIGH TSH commonly suggests an UNDER-active thyroid, because the pituitary is shouting at a gland that is not responding. A low TSH with raised T3/T4 commonly suggests an over-active gland. A borderline TSH with normal T3 and T4 is described as subclinical and is usually rechecked in 6–8 weeks rather than treated immediately. Serious illness, pregnancy, steroids, amiodarone and lithium all shift thyroid numbers, so results need clinical correlation and never justify starting or changing a dose on their own.
Indicative only. Reference ranges vary between laboratories and between testing methods, and shift with age, sex and pregnancy — always read your own result against the range printed on your own report, with the doctor who ordered it.
| Parameter | Indicative range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| TSH | 0.4–4.0 (non-pregnant adult; narrower in pregnancy) | mIU/L |
| Total T4 | 5.1–14.1 | µg/dL |
| Total T3 | 0.8–2.0 | ng/mL |
Why the preparation matters
No fasting is needed, but take your levothyroxine after the sample, not before — a recent dose raises measured T4 and can make a correct dose look too high. High-dose biotin supplements interfere with the assay and should be stopped for about two days beforehand. TSH has a mild daily rhythm and is highest in the early morning, so keeping the sampling time consistent between tests makes small changes easier to interpret.
Who should consider this test
- Anyone with symptoms of an under- or over-active thyroid
- Women planning pregnancy, and in early pregnancy
- Anyone on thyroid replacement, every 6–12 months once stable
- Adults with a family history of thyroid or autoimmune disease
- People with unexplained high cholesterol or anaemia
Conditions it helps detect
How home collection works
Patient stories
96% recommend“The phlebotomist arrived exactly on time and was gentle. My report came in five hours with a doctor’s note.”
“Booked at night, sample collected next morning. The parameter breakdown is genuinely thorough.”
“Loved the free doctor review — she walked me through my vitamin D and thyroid results clearly.”