Test ID: FRT3
T3 (Triiodothyronine), Free, Serum
Secondary ID 
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
NY State Approved Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Free triiodothyronine (T3) is a second- or third-level test of thyroid function. It provides further confirmation of hyperthyroidism, supplementing the tetraiodothyronine (T4), sensitive thyrotropin (sTSH), and total T3 assays.
Evaluating clinically euthyroid patients who have an altered distribution of binding proteins.
Monitoring thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Immunoenzymatic Assay
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Free T3 Only, S
FT3 (Free Triiodothyronine)
T3 (Triiodothyronine), Free, Serum
Triiodothyronine, Free
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Lipemia | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Frozen | 90 days |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Normally triiodothyronine (T3) circulates tightly bound to thyroxine-binding globulin and albumin. Only 0.3% of the total T3 is unbound (free); but the free fraction is the active form.
In hyperthyroidism, both thyroxine (tetraiodothyronine; thyroxine [T4]) and T3 levels (total and free) are usually elevated, but in a small subset of hyperthyroid patients (T3 toxicosis) only T3 is elevated. Generally, free T3 (FT3) measurement is not necessary since total T3 will suffice. However, free T3 levels may be required to evaluate clinically euthyroid patients who have an altered distribution of binding proteins (eg, pregnancy, dysalbuminemia).
Some investigators recommend the free T3 assay for monitoring thyroid replacement therapy, although its clinical role is not precisely defined.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
> or =1 year: 2.0-3.5 pg/mL
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Elevated free triiodothyronine (FT3) values are associated with thyrotoxicosis or excess thyroid hormone replacement.
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Free triiodothyronine (FT3) is not a sensitive test for hypothyroidism.
Some patients who have been exposed to animal antigens, either in the environment or as part of treatment or imaging procedures, may have circulating antianimal antibodies present. These antibodies may interfere with the assay reagents to produce unreliable results.
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Hay ID, Klee GG: Biochemical testing of thyroid function. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 1997;26(4):763-775
2. Wilson JD, Foster DW, Kronenburg MD, Larsen PR: Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 9th edition. WB Saunders Company, 1998
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
The instrument used is a Beckman Coulter DxI 800. The Access Free triiodothyronine (T3) assay is a competitive-binding immunoenzymatic assay. A sample is added to a reaction vessel with an anti-T3 monoclonal antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase. During the incubation, free T3 in the sample reacts with the anti-T3 antibody. Particles coated with streptavidin and biotinylated T3 analog are then added to the mixture. Unoccupied binding sites on the anti-T3 antibody are bridged to the particle through the T3 analog. After incubation in a reaction vessel, materials bound to the solid phase are held in a magnetic field, while unbound materials are washed away. Chemiluminescent substrate Lumi-Phos 530 is added to the vessel and the light generated by the reaction is measured with a luminometer. The light production is inversely proportional to the concentration of free T3 in the sample. The amount of analyte in the sample is determined from a stored, multipoint calibration curve. (Beckman Coulter Assay Manual 2007)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Friday; 5 a.m.-12 a.m.
Saturday; 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
84481
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| FRT3C | T3 (Triiodothyronine), Free, S | 3051-0 |
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