Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPurposeRisksBefore the TestDuring the TestAfter the TestResults
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Purpose
Risks
Before the Test
During the Test
After the Test
Results
The free thyroxine index (FTI) test, also called the T4 index test, is a blood test used to diagnose thyroid disorders. Thyroxine (T4) is a thyroid hormone.
The test measures how much thyroxine is in your blood to help determine whether your thyroid gland is underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism). A normal free thyroxine index range is between .7 and 1.9 nanograms per deciliter.
This article discusses the free thyroxine index test, why it’s done, and what the results can tell you.
Olga Efimova / EyeEm / Getty Images
Purpose of the Free Thyroxine Index Test
The thyroid is located in the front of your throat and is shaped like a butterfly. Its purpose is to make hormones and regulate several important bodily functions, such as energy use, weight, body temperature, and mood.
In your body, T4 functions in two different forms. One form bonds with a protein to perform certain tasks, and another form doesn’t, which allows it to do different jobs.
The FTI test checks only for the “free” form, which is the form not bonded with a protein. It’s useful for evaluating thyroid function.
Your healthcare provider may order an FTI and other thyroid tests if you have symptoms that could indicate thyroid disease. Other risk factors that could influence this decision include:
The other thyroid tests include thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and triiodothyronine (T3). The results of these tests are analyzed together to help with a diagnosis.
Low levels of free T4 could lead to more testing to determine whether you have an autoimmune thyroid disease calledHashimoto’s thyroiditis.High levels may lead to testing forGraves' disease,thyroiditis, orgoiter.
The FTI and other thyroid tests are performed on blood samples, which are fairly quick and simple to obtain and very low risk.
Thyroid Blood Tests: Types and What Results Mean
Risks of Thyroid Blood Tests
The only risk most people face from a blood test is mild pain or a little bruising afterward, which should go away quickly.
Some people, especially those who are afraid of needles, may experience dizziness, nausea, or ringing in the ears during or immediately following a blood draw. If this happens to you, tell the person drawing your blood. Typically, they’ll have you lie down for a while and drink some water.
If you have a history of negative reactions, you may want to arrange for someone to drive you to and from the test facility.
Let the nurse or phlebotomist who’s drawing your blood know before the test if:
They can take steps to mitigate any risk these factors create.
TSH Levels Test: What Do High and Low Levels Mean?
Blood for FTI and other thyroid tests can generally be drawn at any time of day and doesn’t require fasting (avoiding food) beforehand.
Be sure to have your insurance card and any written orders your healthcare provider may have given you.
Tell your healthcare provider about any medications you’re taking and whether they could alter your test results. You may need to take a break from certain medications, including:
Other drugs may impact results, too. Let your healthcare provider know about everything you’re taking, including any supplements and even herbal teas you consume regularly.
Pregnancy can also affect your thyroid hormone levels, so make sure your healthcare provider knows if you are or could be pregnant.
Timing and Location
The blood draw itself should just take a few minutes. If you’re getting multiple tests, it could take slightly longer.
Some healthcare provider’s offices will do the blood draw right there, during your appointment. In that case, it shouldn’t add much time to the length of your appointment.
If you need to go to a lab for the test, it can require more time. If you have a scheduled appointment, arrive early enough to check in and pay any co-pays that may be due. If you’re anxious about the test, you may also want to give yourself a few minutes to sit and relax.
Labs are often busy, so if you’re dropping in, you may want to call ahead of time or aim for a time of day, such as early in the morning, when they tend to be less crowded.
What to Wear
You should be able to stay in your own clothing for the blood draw. Wear either short sleeves or long sleeves that can easily be pushed up past your elbow. Flat shoes and clothing that is not tight or constrictive are good choices in case you have a temporary dizzy spell.
Food and Drink
Any time you’re having blood drawn, you want to be well hydrated. That helps your veins keep their shape, which means it’s easier to find them and successfully insert the needle.
Since you don’t need to fast before a T4 test, it’s a good idea to have something in your stomach. It may help you avoid becoming nauseous.
Cost and Health Insurance
Laboratory costs for an FTI test can range from $45 to about $130. If you’re not insured, you may face additional charges, especially if your healthcare provider is ordering numerous tests. A full set of thyroid tests may cost $500 or more.
Your healthcare provider’s office, the insurance company, and the lab should be able to help you determine the cost before you get the tests.
Thyroid Testing and Diagnosis
A nurse or phlebotomist are typically the healthcare professionals who will perform a blood draw.They may ask you to confirm certain information, such as your name, birth date, healthcare provider ordering the test, and what test you’ve been sent for. This is to ensure the right tests are performed on the right people.
Pre-Test
When it’s time for the test, you’ll be asked to expose your arm, and then the insertion spot will be cleaned with alcohol.
The person performing the draw will tie a band around your upper arm to trap blood in your veins, which makes it easier to find a good vein and insert the needle. If your veins aren’t standing out well, you may be asked to pump your fist.
Blood Draw
Once a good vein is found, the needle will be inserted. This is generally the most painful part of the test, but remember, it’s only temporary. The band will then be released to get the blood flowing, and the vial attached to the needle will fill up.
Depending on how many tests are ordered, you may need to fill up two or more vials. After enough blood has been drawn, the insertion site will be bandaged.
Post-Test
Most of the time, you can leave right away once the test is over. If you have any kind of negative reaction, speak up so you can get proper care. Usually, even with a bad reaction, people are okay after a few minutes.
You may have a little soreness and bruising around the site where the needle was inserted, which typically goes away in a short amount of time. If you have any problems or questions, contact your healthcare provider’s office.
Managing Side Effects
If the site is sore, you may want to ice it or take over-the-counter pain medication. You shouldn’t have any other lingering effects from a simple blood draw.
Interpreting Free T4 Results
In an adult, the typical range for free T4 is between .7 and 1.9 nanograms per deciliter.An abnormally high free T4 level may indicate hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, or goiter. It may also lead to additional tests for Graves' disease.
An abnormally low free T4 level can point to hypothyroidism, a problem with your pituitary gland, malnutrition or iodine deficiency, or other illness. It may lead to further tests for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Factors That Can Affect Thyroid Test Results
An abnormal T4 level alone doesn’t usually lead to a diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will likely analyze it along with T3 and TSH levels.
After the results come back, your healthcare provider may want you to come in to discuss further testing or treatment options, depending on your diagnosis.
If you don’t hear back about your results in a timely manner, or if you don’t understand what they mean, contact your healthcare provider’s office. If you’re diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, then it’s time to talk to your practitioner about treatment options.
Summary
The free T4 index (FTI) is a blood test that can help diagnose a thyroid condition such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves' disease.
The free thyroixine index test is typically done alongside other thyroid blood tests including the TSH and T3 tests. The results of these tests are analyzed together to help your healthcare provider arrive at a diagnosis.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UCLA Health.Normal thyroid hormone levels.American Thyroid Association.Thyroid function tests.Pantalone KM, Hatipoglu B, Gupta MK, Kennedy L, Hamrahian AH.Measurement of serum free thyroxine index may provide additional case detection compared to free thyroxine in the diagnosis of central hypothyroidism.Case Rep Endocrinol.2015;2015:965191. doi:10.1155/2015/965191.Sheehan MT.Biochemical testing of the thyroid: TSH is the best and, oftentimes, only test needed - A review for primary care.Clin Med Res. 2016;14(2):83-92. doi:10.3121/cmr.2016.1309Klubo-Gwiezdzinska J, Wartofsky L.Hashimoto thyroiditis: an evidence-based guide to etiology, diagnosis and treatment.Pol Arch Intern Med. 2022;132(3):16222. doi: 10.20452/pamw.16222Dhingra N.WHO guidelines on drawing blood, best practices in phlebotomy.Akturk HK, Chindris AM, Hines JM, Singh RJ, Bernet VJ.Over-the-counter “adrenal support” supplements contain thyroid and steroid-based adrenal hormones.Mayo Clin Proc. 2018;93(3):284-290. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.10.019Mahadevan S, Sadacharan D, Kannan S, Suryanarayanan A.Does time of sampling or food intake alter thyroid function test?.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2017;21(3):369–372. doi:10.4103/ijem.IJEM_15_17Ialongo C, Bernardini S.Phlebotomy, a bridge between laboratory and patient.Biochem Med (Zagreb). 2016;26(1):17–33. doi:10.11613/BM.2016.002
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.UCLA Health.Normal thyroid hormone levels.American Thyroid Association.Thyroid function tests.Pantalone KM, Hatipoglu B, Gupta MK, Kennedy L, Hamrahian AH.Measurement of serum free thyroxine index may provide additional case detection compared to free thyroxine in the diagnosis of central hypothyroidism.Case Rep Endocrinol.2015;2015:965191. doi:10.1155/2015/965191.Sheehan MT.Biochemical testing of the thyroid: TSH is the best and, oftentimes, only test needed - A review for primary care.Clin Med Res. 2016;14(2):83-92. doi:10.3121/cmr.2016.1309Klubo-Gwiezdzinska J, Wartofsky L.Hashimoto thyroiditis: an evidence-based guide to etiology, diagnosis and treatment.Pol Arch Intern Med. 2022;132(3):16222. doi: 10.20452/pamw.16222Dhingra N.WHO guidelines on drawing blood, best practices in phlebotomy.Akturk HK, Chindris AM, Hines JM, Singh RJ, Bernet VJ.Over-the-counter “adrenal support” supplements contain thyroid and steroid-based adrenal hormones.Mayo Clin Proc. 2018;93(3):284-290. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.10.019Mahadevan S, Sadacharan D, Kannan S, Suryanarayanan A.Does time of sampling or food intake alter thyroid function test?.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2017;21(3):369–372. doi:10.4103/ijem.IJEM_15_17Ialongo C, Bernardini S.Phlebotomy, a bridge between laboratory and patient.Biochem Med (Zagreb). 2016;26(1):17–33. doi:10.11613/BM.2016.002
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
UCLA Health.Normal thyroid hormone levels.American Thyroid Association.Thyroid function tests.Pantalone KM, Hatipoglu B, Gupta MK, Kennedy L, Hamrahian AH.Measurement of serum free thyroxine index may provide additional case detection compared to free thyroxine in the diagnosis of central hypothyroidism.Case Rep Endocrinol.2015;2015:965191. doi:10.1155/2015/965191.Sheehan MT.Biochemical testing of the thyroid: TSH is the best and, oftentimes, only test needed - A review for primary care.Clin Med Res. 2016;14(2):83-92. doi:10.3121/cmr.2016.1309Klubo-Gwiezdzinska J, Wartofsky L.Hashimoto thyroiditis: an evidence-based guide to etiology, diagnosis and treatment.Pol Arch Intern Med. 2022;132(3):16222. doi: 10.20452/pamw.16222Dhingra N.WHO guidelines on drawing blood, best practices in phlebotomy.Akturk HK, Chindris AM, Hines JM, Singh RJ, Bernet VJ.Over-the-counter “adrenal support” supplements contain thyroid and steroid-based adrenal hormones.Mayo Clin Proc. 2018;93(3):284-290. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.10.019Mahadevan S, Sadacharan D, Kannan S, Suryanarayanan A.Does time of sampling or food intake alter thyroid function test?.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2017;21(3):369–372. doi:10.4103/ijem.IJEM_15_17Ialongo C, Bernardini S.Phlebotomy, a bridge between laboratory and patient.Biochem Med (Zagreb). 2016;26(1):17–33. doi:10.11613/BM.2016.002
UCLA Health.Normal thyroid hormone levels.
American Thyroid Association.Thyroid function tests.
Pantalone KM, Hatipoglu B, Gupta MK, Kennedy L, Hamrahian AH.Measurement of serum free thyroxine index may provide additional case detection compared to free thyroxine in the diagnosis of central hypothyroidism.Case Rep Endocrinol.2015;2015:965191. doi:10.1155/2015/965191.
Sheehan MT.Biochemical testing of the thyroid: TSH is the best and, oftentimes, only test needed - A review for primary care.Clin Med Res. 2016;14(2):83-92. doi:10.3121/cmr.2016.1309
Klubo-Gwiezdzinska J, Wartofsky L.Hashimoto thyroiditis: an evidence-based guide to etiology, diagnosis and treatment.Pol Arch Intern Med. 2022;132(3):16222. doi: 10.20452/pamw.16222
Dhingra N.WHO guidelines on drawing blood, best practices in phlebotomy.
Akturk HK, Chindris AM, Hines JM, Singh RJ, Bernet VJ.Over-the-counter “adrenal support” supplements contain thyroid and steroid-based adrenal hormones.Mayo Clin Proc. 2018;93(3):284-290. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.10.019
Mahadevan S, Sadacharan D, Kannan S, Suryanarayanan A.Does time of sampling or food intake alter thyroid function test?.Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2017;21(3):369–372. doi:10.4103/ijem.IJEM_15_17
Ialongo C, Bernardini S.Phlebotomy, a bridge between laboratory and patient.Biochem Med (Zagreb). 2016;26(1):17–33. doi:10.11613/BM.2016.002
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