Funkce štítné žlázy — Thyroid Panel

Thyroid function assessment measuring TSH, free T3, and free T4. Screens for both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism by evaluating pituitary signalling and circulating active hormone levels. At 379 CZK (~15 EUR), approximately one-third the cost of an equivalent three-marker thyroid panel in Germany.

This three-marker thyroid panel provides a complete functional assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is secreted by the anterior pituitary and is the most sensitive single marker for thyroid dysfunction. Elevated TSH with normal free hormones defines subclinical hypothyroidism, found in 4-10% of the general population. Suppressed TSH with elevated free hormones confirms overt hyperthyroidism. Free T3 (triiodothyronine) and free T4 (thyroxine) measure the biologically active, unbound fractions of circulating thyroid hormones. T4 is the predominant secretory product of the thyroid gland and serves as a prohormone, converted to the more metabolically active T3 in peripheral tissues by deiodinase enzymes. Measuring both free hormones distinguishes between different patterns of thyroid dysfunction — isolated T3 thyrotoxicosis (elevated T3 with normal T4) occurs in approximately 5% of hyperthyroid patients, particularly in early Graves disease and toxic nodular goitre. Thyroid dysfunction is substantially more prevalent in women than men, with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 5-8:1 for autoimmune thyroid disease. Common symptoms are frequently non-specific: fatigue, weight changes, cold or heat intolerance, dry skin, constipation, anxiety, tremor, and mood disturbance. The overlap with everyday complaints makes biochemical screening essential for accurate diagnosis. The Czech Republic has historically been an iodine-deficient region, though universal salt iodisation has largely corrected this. However, autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto thyroiditis, Graves disease) remains common and is unrelated to iodine status. For patients with positive results or a family history of thyroid disease, additional autoimmune markers (anti-TPO, anti-TG) can be ordered individually. At 379 CZK, this panel is priced at roughly one-third of the 40-50 EUR that German private labs charge for the identical TSH + fT3 + fT4 combination.