What is a T3 Total (RIA) ??? (Elaine?)

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

Total T3 by RAI is an old fashioned test in which we used radioactive tracer

in the test. Most labs no longer use RAI technologies because they've been

replaced by newer, more sophisticated methods like EIA, which is enzyme

immunoassays.

Total T3 isn't affected by meds and estrogens as much as total T4 is, but it

still can be affected. This is why labs developed tests for free T3. Free T3

measures the hormone available to your cells, whereas total T3 measures free T3

and the proteins it's linked to. if the proteins are high or low, the total

level is falsely increased or decreased.

You should have the option to have tests done wherever you want, and hospital

labs and large reference labs like Quest generally have more sophisticated

tests. Take care, Elaine