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| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
T4, Free
Test Code866
CPT Codes
84439
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Transport Container
Plastic screw-cap vial
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: Next day
Reference Range
| <1 Month | Not established |
| 1-23 Months | 0.9-1.4 ng/dL |
| 2-12 Years | 0.9-1.4 ng/dL |
| 13-20 Years | 0.8-1.4 ng/dL |
| >20 Years | 0.8-1.8 ng/dL |
Clinical Significance
The T4 Free (FT4) test measures serum thyroxine (T4) that is not bound to thyroid hormone-binding proteins (thyroid hormone-binding globulin [TBG], transthyretin, albumin) and is thus readily available to target cells. This test is used with thyroid-stimulating hormone measurement (TSH, test code 899) in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism (usually displaying elevated FT4) and hypothyroidism (low FT4), including congenital and acquired hypothyroidism.
The FT4 test is used to assess thyroid function, monitor thyroid conditions, and assess treatment effectiveness. It has largely replaced the total T4 test (test code 867), which measures both bound and free T4, because the FT4 test is less affected by levels of thyroid hormone-binding proteins.
This test uses a T4 analog, rather than equilibrium dialysis, to determine the amount of free T4. It therefore differs from the T4 Free, Direct Dialysis test (test code 35167). In the general population, the analog FT4 test is most useful as a follow-up test when TSH results are abnormal. It may also be used instead of TSH testing to assess thyroid function in patients with (1) known pituitary abnormalities; (2) chronically suppressed TSH, as often seen in patients for months after successful treatment for Graves disease [1]; or (3) a need to assess thyroid hormone dose changes sooner than the 6-8 weeks required for TSH to reach a new stable level. When the levels of thyroid hormone-binding proteins are very abnormal (eg, congenital TBG deficiency or excess; preterm infants [2]) or the affinity of binding proteins is altered [3] (eg, familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia), the T4 Free, Direct Dialysis test will provide more accurate results.
References
1. Ross DS. N Engl J Med 2011;364:542-550.
2. Deming DD et al. J Pediatr. 2007;151:404-408.
3. Refetoff S. Abnormal Thyroid Hormone Transport. [Updated 2015 Jul 15]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al, editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000.
The FT4 test is used to assess thyroid function, monitor thyroid conditions, and assess treatment effectiveness. It has largely replaced the total T4 test (test code 867), which measures both bound and free T4, because the FT4 test is less affected by levels of thyroid hormone-binding proteins.
This test uses a T4 analog, rather than equilibrium dialysis, to determine the amount of free T4. It therefore differs from the T4 Free, Direct Dialysis test (test code 35167). In the general population, the analog FT4 test is most useful as a follow-up test when TSH results are abnormal. It may also be used instead of TSH testing to assess thyroid function in patients with (1) known pituitary abnormalities; (2) chronically suppressed TSH, as often seen in patients for months after successful treatment for Graves disease [1]; or (3) a need to assess thyroid hormone dose changes sooner than the 6-8 weeks required for TSH to reach a new stable level. When the levels of thyroid hormone-binding proteins are very abnormal (eg, congenital TBG deficiency or excess; preterm infants [2]) or the affinity of binding proteins is altered [3] (eg, familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia), the T4 Free, Direct Dialysis test will provide more accurate results.
References
1. Ross DS. N Engl J Med 2011;364:542-550.
2. Deming DD et al. J Pediatr. 2007;151:404-408.
3. Refetoff S. Abnormal Thyroid Hormone Transport. [Updated 2015 Jul 15]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al, editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000.
