Lab test · Endocrinology
Free Thyroid Profile (FT3, FT4, TSH)
Thyroid function
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Thyroid function
This profile measures three thyroid tests from one blood sample: TSH, the pituitary hormone that controls the thyroid, and the free forms of the two thyroid hormones, T4 and T3. Looking at all three together shows whether the thyroid is underactive, overactive or normal, and can suggest whether a problem starts in the thyroid itself or in the pituitary gland. It is one of the most commonly requested thyroid checks.
Why a doctor may order it
- To look into tiredness, weight change, hair loss, feeling too hot or too cold, or a fast heartbeat
- To check thyroid function in women with irregular periods or difficulty getting pregnant
- To look into a swelling in the neck (goitre)
- To monitor people on thyroid hormone tablets or anti-thyroid medicines
- During pregnancy or when planning one, if your doctor advises it
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You can eat and drink normally before the sample. If you are on thyroid tablets, check with your doctor about when to take them on the test day. Biotin supplements can give misleading thyroid results, so mention them to your doctor. Continue other medicines as usual unless you are told otherwise.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- A trained collector visits your home and takes one small blood sample from a vein in your arm, from which all three tests are measured. It takes only a few minutes.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
A high TSH with a low free T4 usually points to an underactive thyroid, while a low TSH with a high free T4 or free T3 usually points to an overactive thyroid. A raised TSH with normal free hormones is called subclinical hypothyroidism and may simply be watched. Pregnancy, illness and some medicines can shift these results. Your doctor will interpret the pattern with your symptoms and decide whether further tests or treatment are needed.
What's included
This test reports 3 measurements:
- Free T3
- Free T4
- TSH
Related tests
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)TSH is a hormone made by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain.
- Free Thyroxine (Free T4)Thyroid function৳500
- Free Triiodothyronine (Free T3)Thyroid function৳500
- Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (Anti-TPO)Anti-TPO antibodies are made by the immune system against thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme the thyroid uses to make its hormones.
- Thyroid Function Test (T3, T4, TSH)A thyroid function test measures TSH, the pituitary hormone that controls the thyroid, together with the thyroid hormones T3 and T4.
- TSH Receptor Antibodies (TRAb)Graves' disease (overactive thyroid)৳2,350
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a free thyroid profile and a TSH test?
A TSH test alone is often used for screening. The free thyroid profile adds free T4 and free T3, which show how much hormone the thyroid is making and help explain an abnormal TSH.
What is subclinical hypothyroidism?
It means TSH is raised but free T4 is still normal. Many people have no symptoms. Your doctor may repeat the test later or consider treatment depending on the level, your symptoms and whether you are pregnant.
Should I take my thyroid tablet before the test?
Ask your doctor. Some doctors prefer the sample to be taken before the morning tablet so that results are easier to compare over time.
Can a thyroid problem affect periods and fertility?
Yes. Both an underactive and an overactive thyroid can cause irregular periods and make it harder to get pregnant, which is why doctors often check thyroid function in these situations.
How much does a Free thyroid profile test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳1,200, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Free thyroid profile test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Free thyroid profile report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.