Lots of people around the world have thyroid conditions. It’s common, and if not treated early, it can cause serious health issues. The thyroid test is an easy and safe way to check for and diagnose thyroid problems.
The cost of the thyroid test can be around Rs. 300 to Rs. 1500, depending on where you are, the lab you go to, and if you need extra services like home collection or quick results.
This blog gives you info about thyroid, the tests, their prices, and what things can make the test cost more or less.
What is a Thyroid Test?
TSH Tests
Doctors usually start with a TSH test, checking the amount of TSH in your blood. TSH is a hormone from the pituitary gland, telling your thyroid how much T4 and T3 to make.
High TSH often means hypothyroidism—an underactive thyroid. It’s when your thyroid doesn’t make enough hormone, so the pituitary keeps releasing TSH.
Low TSH usually means hyperthyroidism—an overactive thyroid. Here, your thyroid makes too much hormone, and the pituitary stops releasing TSH.
If TSH results aren’t normal, you might need another test to find the problem.
T4 Tests
If your blood has too much or too little T4, it might mean you have hyperthyroidism.
But sometimes, if you’re pregnant or taking certain medicines, your T4 levels might be high, even if your thyroid is fine. Serious illnesses or using certain medications, like those for asthma or arthritis, can make T4 levels low.
These conditions and medicines affect the proteins in your blood that stick to T4. The stuck T4 is kept in reserve until your body needs it. The T4 that isn’t stuck is called “free” T4, and it’s ready to go into your body tissues. Since changes in protein levels don’t impact free T4, many healthcare professionals prefer to measure that.
T3 Tests
Thyroid Test Price in India
| CITY | AVERAGE PRICE(Rs.) | STARTING PRICE(Rs.) | MAXIMUM PRICE(Rs.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | 750 | 300 | 1500 |
| Bangalore | 900 | 400 | 1800 |
| Chandigarh | 825 | 350 | 1600 |
| Chennai | 850 | 350 | 1700 |
| Delhi | 925 | 400 | 2000 |
| Gurgaon | 975 | 450 | 2200 |
| Hyderabad | 850 | 350 | 1800 |
| Indore | 775 | 300 | 1600 |
| Kochi | 900 | 400 | 1800 |
| Kolkata | 825 | 350 | 1600 |
| Mumbai | 975 | 450 | 2200 |
| Mysore | 850 | 350 | 1700 |
| Pune | 900 | 400 | 1700 |
| Thiruvananthapuram | 750 | 300 | 1500 |
| Vadodara | 775 | 300 | 1600 |
Thyroid Test Procedure
Getting a thyroid test is quite simple. Here’s how it usually goes:
- Blood is taken from your arm veins.
- The lab collects the required amount of blood.
- The blood is sent to a lab for testing thyroid hormones.
- After taking the blood, the spot where the needle went in is pressed with cotton to stop any bleeding.
Normal Levels of T3, T4 & TSH
The usual levels for T3, T4, and TSH can vary a bit for each person, depending on things like age, gender, health, the lab doing the test, and more. You can take a look at the range below:
- TSH: 0.4 to 4.5 mIU/L
- Total T4: 4.5-12.0 mcg/dL
- Total T3: 76-181 ng/dL
If your results show something unusual, your doctor might suggest more tests based on your health and other factors.
Understanding Thyroid Test Results:
The thyroid test includes different parts, and the results are looked at together.
TSH Levels:
As mentioned earlier, if TSH levels are high, it might mean hypothyroidism – your thyroid is not making enough hormones. Many things can cause high TSH, like not having enough iodine, thyroid inflammation, or certain medications. On the other hand, low TSH levels might indicate hyperthyroidism – your thyroid is making too much hormones. This can happen after thyroid surgery or with certain medications.
High T4 might suggest:
- Hyperthyroidism
- Thyroid inflammation
- Toxic nodular goiter
- Too much iodine
- Certain diseases
Low T4 could mean:
- Not enough iodine
- Hypothyroidism
- Diet problems
- Thyroid inflammation
- Certain medications
- Not eating for a long time
- Thyrotoxicosis
High T3 could indicate:
- Hyperthyroidism
- Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis
- Graves’ disease
- Thyroid cancer
Low T3 could suggest:
- Hypothyroidism
- Long-term illness
Remember, just one result doesn’t tell everything. Your doctor looks at all the results together to figure out what might be going on. The T3 T4 & TSH Tests are essential, but it’s not the only thing your doctor considers. Test results can be confusing, so it’s important to talk to your healthcare professional to understand what they mean for you. You can conveniently utilize a PHR app such as Health-e to manage and access your test results, eliminating the need to carry physical copies everywhere you go while aiding in diagnosis.
Take charge of your health – download Health-e today and keep your test results at your fingertips!
