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SickKids

Free T4, serum

Alternate test name

Thyroxine, FT4

Lab area
Clinical Biochemistry - General
Method and equipment
Abbott Ci4100
Expected turn-around time
STAT: 3 Hours Urgent: 6 Hours Routine: 24 Hours
Specimen type

Serum and Lithium Heparin Plasma

Specimen requirements

150 uL

Storage and transportation

Frozen

Shipping information
The Hospital for Sick Children
Rapid Response Laboratory
555 University Avenue, Room 3642
Toronto, ON
Canada
M5G 1X8
Phone: 416-813-7200
Toll Free: 1-855-381-3212
Hours: 7 days/week, 24 hours/day
Background and clinical significance

The free fraction of the circulating thyroxine (T4) is considered to exert the main influence on metabolic control. Consequently, the FT4 concentration is believed to be the most direct indicator of an individual’s thyroid status. FT4 concentrations are generally depressed in hypothyroidism and raised in hyperthyroidism. Measurement of FT4 thus provides an aid to the differential diagnosis of thyroid disease. FT4 concentrations are independent of the concentration of thyroid hormone binding proteins  and may therefore be measured in patients with elevated or reduced binding protein concentrations without the need for additional tests of binding capacity. In borderline cases of suspected thyroid malfunction, additional tests such as free T3 or TSH may be necessary

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