7 Results of a Blood Panel That Might Surprise You

Your blood can convey significant information about how your body functions, particularly as it relates to your thyroid. There are a number of blood tests that your doctor might order.

Why are blood tests important and what do their results mean? Some may uncover the cause of certain symptoms and aid in diagnosis. Other tests will monitor whether certain parts of your body operate as they should.

Processing these test results can be overwhelming and confusing. Understanding why doctors order specific tests and what results indicate can help to alleviate some of the stress associated with getting blood work done.

Tests That Evaluate Thyroid Function

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Tests

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) blood tests can indicate if your body produces too little or too much thyroid hormone, which can aid in diagnosis of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, respectively. The pituitary gland makes TSH, which manages the balance of thyroid hormones. TSH tests also monitor the activity of thyroid nodules in order to guide courses of treatment. Additionally, TSH tests help to monitor whether patients taking thyroid hormone replacement are on the appropriate dose. Healthy TSH levels typically span 0.5 to 5.0 mIU/L. 

Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) Tests

You may get blood work done to test for levels of Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3), which are regulated by and inherently connected to TSH levels previously described. Low levels of these hormones can be indicative of hypothyroidism, while high levels can be indicative of hyperthyroidism. Healthy values of T4 typically span 5.0 to 12.0μg/dL, while healthy values of T3 typically span 80-220ng/dL. 

Tests That Diagnose Thyroid/Parathyroid Conditions

Thyroid Antibody Tests

Antibodies function to fend off illness-causing bacteria or viruses. Your immune system may produce antibodies that target your thyroid instead. Testing for these antibodies can help to identify autoimmune thyroid diseases. 

Calcium Tests

Calcium tests, which determine how much calcium is circulating in your blood, can be useful in analyzing the function of the parathyroid glands. High calcium levels may signal hyperparathyroidism, while low calcium levels may signal hypoparathyroidism. Healthy calcium levels typically span 8.5 to 10.2mg/dL. 

Glucose Tests 

Blood glucose tests aid in the diagnosis of diabetes. However, they can also indicate hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism in some cases when glucose levels are higher or lower than normal, respectively. Healthy blood glucose levels (when fasting) typically span 72 to 99mg/dl). 

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When in Doubt, Ask Questions!

Do you feel uncertain or confused about your blood work? Ask your doctor why they have ordered a particular test, or what the reported values indicate! Attaining clarity about your blood tests can help to ease your nerves. Alternatively, it might simply remind you of why enduring the prick of a needle is so essential to your health.