Triiodothyronine (T3) is the most biologically active thyroid hormone in humans. It is sometimes called total triiodothyronine because it includes both free triiodothyronine and triiodothyronine bound to proteins. Triiodothyronine acts on almost every cell in the body, binding to thyroid hormone receptors and setting the metabolic rate of cells. Triiodothyronine is critically important for the growth and development of fetuses, infants, and young children. While the thyroid gland produces triiodothyronine, about 80% is created from the other active thyroid hormone, thyroxine. More than 99% of triiodothyronine is bound to proteins in the serum, the rest is free triiodothyronine (free T3).
Normal Ranges for Total T3:
Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK285568/
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/laboratory-assessment-of-thyroid-function
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12625976
https://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8613
http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1990.03440110095035
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/thyroid-function-in-nonthyroidal-illness
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=7920008
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6687730
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-thyroid-disease-in-pregnancy
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/diagnosis-of-and-screening-for-hypothyroidism-in-nonpregnant-adults
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/diagnosis-of-hyperthyroidism
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/thyroid-hormone-synthesis-and-physiolog
Decreased triiodothyronine levels in the serum usually indicate hypothyroidism or chronic or subacute thyroiditis. Any serious illness can decrease triiodothyronine levels. Abnormally low triiodothyronine may cause symptoms of hypothyroidism including weakness and fatigue, cold intolerance, shortness of breath, weight gain, constipation, cognitive problems, dry skin, hoarseness, and swelling (edema).
Some specific causes of low triiodothyronine are:
Understand and improve your laboratory results with our health dashboard.
Upload your lab reports and get interpretation today.
Our technology helps to understand, combine, track, organize, and act on your medical lab test results.
Elevated triiodothyronine levels may indicate hyperthyroidism, thyroid hormone resistance syndrome, or triiodothyronine toxicosis. Serum triiodothyronine levels can be expected to increase during normal pregnancy, but other tests may be necessary to rule out hyperthyroidism. Elevated triiodothyronine may cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism including excessive appetite, anxiety, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, weight loss, emotional disturbances, and intolerance to heat.
Some specific causes of high triiodothyronine are:
Interpret Your Lab Results
Upload your lab report and we’ll interpret and provide you with recomendations today.
Get Started
Get Started With Our Personal Plan
Advanced Plan
Unlimited Plan
Are You a Health Professional?
Get started with our professional plan
Welcome to Healthmatters Pro.
Save time on interpreting lab results with the largest database of biomarkers online. In-depth research on any test at your fingertips, all stored and tracked in one place. Learn more
Pro Plan
for health professionals
$45 per month
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, Adiponectin, Albumin/Creatinine Ratio, Random Urine, Anti-Thyroglobulin ab. (0-39), C-Peptide, Serum, Ceruloplasmin, Creatinine, Random Urine, Cyclic AMP, Plasma, Dihydrotestosterone (female), Dihydrotestosterone (male), Estimated Average Glucose (eAG), Free Androgen Index, Free testosterone, Free Testosterone, Direct (Female), Free Testosterone, Direct (Male), Free Thyroxine, Free Thyroxine Index, Fructosamine, Glucose, Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase, Glycated Serum Protein (GSP), Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), HOMA-B, HOMA-IR, HOMA-S, Homocysteine, Insulin (Fasting), Insulin Antibody, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (IGF-1), Iodine, Serum/Plasma, Parathyroid Hormone (PTH), Serum, Pregnenolone, Proinsulin, Reverse T3, Serum, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG), T3, Free, T4, Free, T4, Total (Thyroxine), T7 Index, Testosterone, Testosterone (Female/Child), Testosterone, Serum (Female), Thyroglobulin, Thyroglobulin Antibodies (0 - 1 IU/L), Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (Anti-TPO Ab), Thyroid Stim Immunoglobulin, Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyrotropin Receptor Ab, Serum, Thyroxine-binding globulin, TBG, TMAO (Trimethylamine N-oxide), Total T3, Tri iodothyronine (T3) Uptake, Triiodothyronine, Serum
