Thyroid – this is exactly the organ of the endocrine system, without which the normal existence of each of us is impossible. After all, he produces thyroxine – a hormone involved in important life processes. This biologically active substance, also called T4, regulates metabolic processes in the body, supports the functioning of the nervous system, contributes to the normal functioning of the heart muscle, and also controls the process of creating an egg and its ovulation. In addition, thyroxine clears the vessels of cholesterol plaques in time and successfully fights blood clots. That is why it is necessary to regularly undergo examinations of the thyroid gland for hormones. How to do this, the Internet edition estet-portal.com will tell you. And you will also find out what the norm of thyroxine should be and what to do in case of pathologies.
Tyroxine hormone test – popular thyroid examination
The thyroid gland must be examined at least once a year, especially for women who suffer from various pathologies of this organ more often than men. Diagnostics of the functional state of the thyroid gland is performed by many methods, the most common of which is a blood test for thyroxine hormone.
Biochemical study shows the level of the hormone in the biological fluid and tells you what condition the thyroid gland is in.
Venous blood is the material to be collected. It is she who gives a complete picture regarding the amount of thyroxine hormone. To obtain the most accurate analysis results, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
• one month before the procedure, do not use those medicines that contain thyroid hormones;
• Three days before the test, refuse iodine-containing drugs;
• do not engage in active physical activity the day before blood sampling;
• the day before, stop smoking and drinking alcohol, and also avoid stressful situations.
Blood is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. For maximum accuracy of the result, it is recommended to carry out this procedure 2 times and preferably in different laboratories.
Thyroxine: the norm in women, men and children
Thyroxin is presented in two forms: bound to proteins and free, that is, not bound to proteins. Each of these forms has its own rate of content in the blood. However, since free T4 is active, it is its value that is widely used in the diagnosis of the condition and diseases of the thyroid gland.
The norm of this biologically active substance in women is from 10.5 to 22.0 pmol / liter. However, the level of the T4 hormone may fluctuate slightly depending on the air temperature, season, weather and other factors. So, in the morning the concentration of thyroxine in the blood is the highest, and already in the afternoon and in the evening it decreases. And in the period from the beginning of October to the end of March, the amount of free T4 is maximum. In summer it falls.
Significant changes in the content of the hormone in the blood are also observed during pregnancy. In the first trimester, the level of thyroxine rises above the norm and is 12.1 – 19.6 pmol/liter. And by the end of the last trimester, it drops significantly to 8.4 – 19.6 pmol/litre.
In men, the rate of free thyroxine is 10.1 – 23.0 pmol/liter. But already in adulthood, the concentration of this biologically active substance decreases to 18 Pmol / liter. As for the T4 norm in children, the amount of thyroxine produced in newborns is greater than in adults and is 22.0 – 49.0 pmol/liter. Further, the level of the hormone gradually decreases. And already in adolescence, it becomes almost the same as in adults.
Deviation from the norm: symptoms and causes
If, after passing the tests, it was found that the concentration of the hormone in the blood does not meet the standards, this indicates that something is wrong with the thyroid gland. For example, when the level of T4 is elevated, it means that the thyroid gland produces it quite actively. This can happen for one of the following reasons:
• diffuse toxic goiter;
• inflammation of the thyroid gland;
• obesity;
• hormone-producing thyroid tumors;
• diseases of the liver or kidneys;
• taking insulin, aspirin, estrogen and other medications;
pregnancy.
You can tell if your T4 level is high by experiencing increased heart rate, weight loss, hand trembling, redness and protrusion of the eyeballs, restlessness, and swelling of the face.
The decrease in the amount of thyroxine is due to its insufficient production. This problem often occurs in the following cases:
• iodine and protein deficiency;
• lead poisoning;
• hypothyroidism;
• endemic goiter;
• thyroiditis and other diseases of the thyroid gland;
• taking anabolic steroids, antithyroid drugs,
skin becomes dry. Women also experience disruptions in the menstrual cycle. It is possible to normalize the concentration of thyroxin in the blood only if the very root of the problem is removed, that is, the disease that is the cause of this pathology is cured. But if the increase in the level of the hormone is associated with pregnancy or taking certain medications, then the concentration of the biologically active substance will return to normal on its own after a certain period of time.
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