How Much Does It Cost to Check Thyroid Hormone Levels?

The thyroid gland is crucial to the body. Elevated thyroid hormone levels can have significant impacts on the body, leading to symptoms such as paleness, dry skin, and thinning hair. In severe cases, it may also cause memory decline, sluggishness, and dizziness. Therefore, it is essential to promptly adjust thyroid hormone levels when they are too high. It is recommended to regularly check thyroid hormone levels annually to ensure they are within normal ranges. Many people are concerned about the cost of thyroid hormone testing.

1. How much does thyroid hormone testing cost?

Thyroid hormone testing mainly includes serum total thyroxine (T4), serum total triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The cost of testing varies depending on the specific tests requested. Testing TSH alone costs around 42 yuan. A complete five-panel test, including all five hormones, costs 300 yuan. A thyroid function test, which typically includes FT4, FT3, and TSH, costs 153 yuan. If special conditions require antibody testing for thyroid hormones, such as peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies, the cost for both tests combined is around 100 yuan or more. For patients with hyperthyroidism, testing for thyroid hormone receptor antibodies (TRAb) costs approximately 40 yuan. It's worth noting that different hospitals may have different pricing structures and may offer combined testing packages.

2. How is thyroid hormone tested?

Thyroid hormone testing should be performed at a reputable hospital through blood sampling. Blood can be drawn either on an empty stomach or after a meal, as thyroid hormone levels are not significantly affected by food intake like other indicators such as liver function, kidney function, electrolytes, and blood sugar. Therefore, blood sampling at any time of the day will yield similar results. Thyroid hormone testing primarily involves measuring free thyroxine or total thyroxine levels, as well as TSH levels. For most patients, testing for either total or free thyroxine is sufficient. However, for pregnant women, only free thyroxine levels should be tested due to the elevation of thyroxine-binding protein levels.

3. What is the function of thyroid hormone?

Thyroid hormone plays a crucial role in regulating the body's metabolism and stimulating growth and development. However, it is important to maintain appropriate levels of thyroid hormone. Excessive thyroid hormone secretion can lead to symptoms such as tachycardia, irritability, and mood swings. Conversely, insufficient thyroid hormone secretion can result in fatigue, lack of energy, and constipation. Therefore, the secretion of thyroid hormone should be balanced according to the individual's physical condition to avoid negative impacts on the body.