T4 test

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T4 (thyroxine) is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. A laboratory test can be done to measure the amount of T4 in your blood.

Thyroxine test

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

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In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

Your health care provider will tell you, if necessary, to stop taking drugs that may interfere with the test.

Drugs that can increase T4 measurements include:

• Birth control pills
• Clofibrate
• Estrogens
• Methadone

Drugs that can decrease T4 measurements include:

• Anabolic steroids
• Androgens
• Antithyroid drugs (for example, propylthiouracil and methimazole)
• Interferon alpha
• Interleukin-2
• Lithium
• Phenytoin
• Propranolol

This list may not include all medications.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

This test is done to check your thyroid function. Thyroid function is complex and depends on the action of many different thyroid hormones, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and T3 (triiodothyronine).

Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of a thyroid disorder, including:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypopituitarism
• Hypothyroidism - primary
• Hypothyroidism - secondary
• Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

Review Date: 04/20/2010
Reviewed By: Ari S. Eckman, MD, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).