Description
Why It’s Done:
Doctors recommend the FT3 test to:
• Diagnose hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• Evaluate symptoms such as weight loss, anxiety, irregular heartbeat, or heat intolerance
• Monitor thyroid disorders and assess the effectiveness of thyroid treatments
• Help differentiate between different types of thyroid disease, especially when TSH and FT4 results are unclear
Preparation:
• Fasting: Not usually required.
• Medications: Inform your doctor about all medications and supplements, particularly thyroid medications, steroids, or birth control pills, as they may influence results.
• Timing: Blood can be drawn at any time of day, but morning samples are often preferred for consistency.
• No special diet or activity restrictions unless otherwise advised.
