Vital laboratory package Woman 50+ includes 39 values and provides senior women with a broad overview of their health. Vital’s doctors have developed this laboratory package based on some of the most important values that affect age-related lifestyle diseases, as well as values that are interesting to monitor specifically for you as a woman over 50 years old.
![T3 (triiodothyronine) is an active thyroid hormone.](https://vital.se/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/T3.jpg)
T3 (triiodothyronine) is an active thyroid hormone
The hormone triiodothyronine, commonly known as T3, is produced in the thyroid gland and helps regulate metabolism throughout the body. The level of T3 in the blood is usually tested when examining the thyroid, especially when conditions such as hyperthyroidism are suspected.
Brief about T3 (triiodothyronine):
- T3 is an active thyroid hormone needed to regulate the body’s metabolism.
- Thyroxine (T4) is converted into the more active triiodothyronine (T3) in the body.
- Free T3 is often examined when thyroid diseases are suspected, especially in cases of suspected hyperthyroidism.
What is T3 (triiodothyronine)?
The thyroid gland is located in the front of the trachea and produces hormones including thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Primarily, T4 is produced, but it is converted into the more active T3 in the body’s cells.
T3 regulates the body’s metabolism, making it crucial for overall health. It is essential for the body’s protein synthesis and a deficiency in the hormone can lead to symptoms like fatigue and a general feeling of illness.
Only a small portion of T3 in the body is free in the blood and is called free T3; the rest is bound to various carrier proteins. In conditions such as hyperthyroidism, the production of T3 significantly increases, leading to symptoms like palpitations, insomnia, and nervousness.
What are the reference values for T3?
The reference values for T3 in adults range between: 3.1 – 6.8 pmol/L.
These reference values may vary slightly between different laboratories and depending on the analysis method used.
What does a high T3 value mean?
High T3 values are usually indicative of hyperthyroidism. In this condition, the thyroid gland is overactive and produces an excess of thyroid hormones, which can lead to symptoms like palpitations, insomnia, and nervousness.
What does a low T3 value mean?
Low values are usually indicative of hypothyroidism, where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and a general feeling of illness. Low T3 values can also be due to other illnesses.
Why is T3 tested?
Testing of free T3 levels is primarily done when hyperthyroidism is suspected, and when other blood tests like TSH and T4 cannot confirm the diagnosis. Free T3 levels can also be used to diagnose hypothyroidism, but other markers are often better since T3 levels can remain normal for long periods despite hypothyroidism.
In summary, free T3 is rarely the first choice when examining thyroid health, but it is valuable in unclear cases. Free T3 is also typically examined during thyroid cancer treatment as it provides a good indication of treatment progress.
Free T3 (Triiodothyronine) is an active thyroid hormone. Free T3 is usually measured in addition to TSH and Free T4 to diagnose any potential thyroid disorder.
![TSH](https://vital.se/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/TSH-2-1012x675.webp)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is a hormone that regulates thyroid function
TSH or thyroid-stimulating hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland. TSH is tested when examining thyroid function.
![A woman lies on a pier with the sun shining on her face.](https://vital.se/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/T4-Free-1012x675.webp)
Free thyroxine (T4-Free) or tetraiodothyronine is a thyroid hormone
Thyroxine is a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland. If there is too little thyroxine in the body, the condition is called hypothyroidism. If the thyroxine level is high, the condition is called hyperthyroidism.
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Vitamin B12 – Sources, recommended intake, symptoms of deficiency, and reference values
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, enables the formation of hereditary factors, boosts metabolism, and ensures the health of the central nervous system.
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Vitamin D – Recommendations, sources, reference values, and vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D is stored in the body during summer, but its concentration decreases during the dark winter months.
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Folate (vitamin B9) is especially important for pregnant women
Lack of folate can cause, among other things, nervous system symptoms, growth retardation and megaloblastic anemia.
![A woman chopping vegetables.](https://vital.se/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Glucose-1012x675.webp)
Glucose indicates the blood sugar level
Glucose is one of the most common sugars. Blood glucose is also referred to as blood sugar. The blood sugar level can be analysed after fasting or without fasting. The blood sugar level is excessively high, for example, in the case of diabetes.
Article updated:
24 June 2024