Thyroid Function Test
A specific blood test that measures levels and amounts of thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating
hormone (TSH), and triiodothyronine (T3) in your blood. These hormones highly impacts your
metabolism and influences your heart rate, body temperature, body weight and blood pressure.
Clinical Indicators that may require your health practitioner to order a thyroid function test may
be due to: An Overactive thyroid (Hyperthyroidism), an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism),
Undergoing thyroid replacement therapy, and a female with a possibility of infertility. (Australia,
2023).
TSH or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone levels in your blood usually is the first test providers
would order. This identifies the amount of TSH being produced by your pituitary gland to
stimulate the production of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) in your blood. (Eisnaugle,
2019)
Age HIGH LOW
Normal Low High
range
This condition is called, Hyperthyroidism is when
0–4 1.6–24.3 <1 > 30 Hypothyroidism. This there is too much thyroid
days mU/L mU/L mU/L only means your Thyroid hormones being
is underperforming, your produced, and to
0.58– pituitary glands compensate the over
2–20 < 0.5 > 6.0
5.57 compensates the lack of production of your
weeks mU/L mU/L
mU/L thyroid hormones by thyroid hormones, the
producing high amounts of pituitary glands
20 TSH to balance your body decreases the production
0.55–
weeks – < 0.5 > 6.0 needs. (Eisnaugle, 2019) of your TSH. (Eisnaugle,
5.31
18 mU/L mU/L 2019)
mU/L
years
18–30 0.5–4.1 < 0.5 > 4.1
years mU/L mU/L mU/L
31–50 0.5–4.1 < 0.5 > 4.1
years mU/L mU/L mU/L
51–70 0.5–4.5 < 0.5 > 4.5
years mU/L mU/L mU/L
71–90 0.4–5.2 < 0.4 > 5.2
years mU/L mU/L mU/L
Stage of High TSH in Pregnancy
pregnanc Normal Low High can increase chances of
y having a miscarriage
(Australia, 2023)
First 0.6–3.4 < 0.6 > 3.4
trimester mU/L mU/L mU/L
0.37–
Second < 0.3 > 3.6
3.6
trimester mU/L mU/L
mU/L
0.38–
Third < 0.3 > 4.0
4.0
trimester mU/L mU/L
mU/L
It is more common for women to experience abnormal TSH levels during their menstrual cycle,
during childbirth, and following menopause. (Australia, 2023)
Additionally, if a man has a high TSH, he is more likely than a woman to experience
complications like irregular genital development. (Australia, 2023)
T4 or tetraiodothyronine
The primary hormone that your thyroid gland releases into your bloodstream is called thyroxine,
sometimes referred to as T4 or tetraiodothyronine. This then is being converted by the liver and
the kidneys to triiodothyronine (T3).
High LOW
Age range Normal Low High
This condition is Having Low T4
0.8 – 2.8 < 0.8 > 2.8 called hormones called
0-5 yrs old
ng/dL ng/dL ng/dL Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism,
that means that that may have
6-15 yrs 0.8 – 2.1 < 0.8 > 2.1 your thyroid is resulted from
old ng/dL ng/dL ng/dL overly active, this another medical
may be a result of condition, or
MALE another thyroiditis
0.8 – 2.8 < 0.8 > 2.8
16- 17 yrs. underlying (Medline , 2022)
ng/dL ng/dL ng/dL
old medical condition
causing excessive
FEMALE production of T4
0.8 – 1.5 < 0.8 > 1.5 hormones
16- 17 yrs
ng/dL. ng/dL ng/dL (Medline , 2022)
old
ADULTS 0.9 – 1.7 < 0.9 > 1.7
>18 yrs old ng/dL ng/dL ng/dL
(Cleveland Clinic, 2022)
T3 (triiodothyronine)
T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone that affects cells in your body. Most of the T4 that your
thyroid releases is converted to T3 by your liver and kidneys.
High LOW
Age range Normal Low High
This condition is Having Low T3
106 – 203 < 106 > 203 called hormones called
1-5 yrs old
ng/dL ng/dL ng/dL Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism,
that means that that may have
6-10 yrs 104 – 183 < 104 > 183 your thyroid is resulted from
old ng/dL. ng/dL ng/dL overly active, this another medical
may be a result of condition, or
11-14 yrs 68 – 186 < 68 > 186 another thyroiditis
old ng/dL. ng/dL ng/dL underlying (Medline , 2022)
medical condition
15 to 17 71 – 175 < 71 > 175 causing excessive
years old ng/dL ng/dL ng/dL production of T3
hormones
18 to 99 79 – 165 < 79 > 165 (Medline , 2022)
years old ng/dL ng/dL ng/dL
(Cleveland Clinic, 2022)
References
Australia, H. direct. (2023, August 9). Thyroid function tests. Www.healthdirect.gov.au.
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/thyroid-function-tests#:~:text=Resources%20and%20support-
Cleveland Clinic. (2022, October 3). T4 (thyroxine) test: What it is, function, purpose & levels.
Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/24235-thyroxine-t4-test
Eisnaugle, J. (2019, August 16). All about standard TSH ranges by age and life stage. Healthline.
https://www.healthline.com/health/tsh-normal-range-by-age#women
Medline , P. (2022, June 7). Thyroxine (T4) Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test. Medlineplus.gov.
https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/thyroxine-t4-test/#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20T4%20results
%20that%20are%20higher%20than%20normal%20may
