What are blood tests that measure thyroid hormone levels in the blood called?

• A. Thyroid function tests
• B. Liver function tests
• C. Renal function tests
• D. Electrolyte panel

Answer: (A)

Thyroid function tests are the blood tests used to evaluate how the thyroid is working by measuring thyroid hormones and the pituitary signal that regulates them. They typically include TSH and free T4, and sometimes free T3. TSH is particularly sensitive because the pituitary adjusts its level in response to thyroid hormone levels, so abnormalities in TSH often reveal thyroid problems even when T4 or T3 are still in the normal range. The other options assess different organ systems: liver function tests look at liver enzymes and bilirubin, renal function tests check kidney markers like creatinine, and an electrolyte panel measures minerals like sodium and potassium. So, the tests that specifically measure thyroid hormone status in the blood are thyroid function tests.