In diseases of the thyroid gland or on the background of their treatment, patients are prescribed an analysis for, but not everyone knows what kind of hormone it is and what its functions are in the body.
What is the free hormone T4 and what is it responsible for?
Free T4 is an iodine-containing hormone that is produced by thyroid cells and is called thyroxine or thyroid hormone. Most of the hormone is in a protein-bound form that accumulates in the follicles of the thyroid cells. As necessary, it enters the bloodstream as a hormone T4. The rest of it circulates in the body in a free form. This is the free hormone T4, which is responsible for the acceleration of catabolism in the body, that is, the process of obtaining energy from glycogen and fat, as well as saturation of tissue cells with oxygen. Thyroxine is considered the main hormone of the thyroid gland and according to the results of the analysis on its level in the blood, one can judge the work of the gland itself.
The norm of the free hormone T4 in the blood
The amount of thyroxin in men and women is different. This is due to the fact that during pregnancy the level of hormone T4 significantly increases. After 40 years, the level of the hormone begins to decrease in both women and men. Its maximum amount of thyroid glands develops in the morning hours, from 8 to 12, and at night this process slows down.
The number of the hormone T4 is affected by the seasons. In autumn and winter, its concentration in the blood is higher than in spring and summer. The level of the hormone T4 free in different laboratories is measured by its own set of reagents, and therefore the values of the indicators may differ. Label forms always indicate the permissible level of hormone levels and units of measurement. For women during pregnancy, their T4 norms are set free.
The causes of lowering the level of free hormone T4
The level of the hormone is lowered:
- if long-term treatment of hyperthyroidism is contemplated by taking medications that suppress thyroxine production;
- when the thyroid gland or part of it is removed by surgery;
- there is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies are produced in the body against the follicles of the thyroid gland;
- in the treatment of hyperthyroidism with radioactive iodine
- with a lack of iodine in the body;
- if the diet with a reduced amount of protein is observed;
- hypothyroidism ;
- while taking some medications of antifungal and anti-inflammatory action.
If the free hormone T4 is lowered, the following symptoms are observed:
- weight gain;
- dry skin;
- fatigue with minor physical exertion;
- menstruation disorders in women.
It should be noted that a decrease in the thyroid function can not be completely cured, but it is possible to increase the amount of thyroxin by taking its artificial analogue. In pursuit of a slender figure, many women take thyroxine for weight loss. This should not be done, because in the first place it is a medicine, not a dietary supplement.
The reasons for increasing the level of free hormone T4
The most common cause of elevated thyroxine levels is Basedova's disease.
Also to the reasons for the increased amount of free hormone T4 is:
- postpartum period;
- inflammation of the thyroid gland;
- pathology of the liver and kidneys;
- taking large doses of aspirin, insulin;
- tumors of the thyroid gland.
If the free hormone T4 is elevated, there are such symptoms:
- cardiopalmus;
- feeling of anxiety;
- swelling of the face;
- weight loss;
- bad restless sleep;
- tremor of extremities;
- protrusion of eyes in toxic goiter .
If a patient has symptoms of thyroid disease, he should be given an analysis for a free T4 hormone. It will help to identify any malfunctions in the thyroid gland and is considered the first step towards establishing the correct diagnosis.