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Free Triiodothyronine

Meaning

Free Triiodothyronine, commonly denoted as FT3, represents the biologically active, unbound fraction of the thyroid hormone Triiodothyronine circulating in the bloodstream. Since only the free fraction is capable of entering target cells and binding to nuclear receptors to exert its metabolic effects, FT3 is the most accurate clinical indicator of thyroid hormone activity at the tissue level. Measurement of FT3 is crucial for diagnosing hyperthyroidism and for monitoring the efficacy of thyroid replacement therapies, providing a direct assessment of the hormone available to influence systemic metabolism.