Iodine is essential for synthesizing thyroid hormones like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) from thyroglobulin in the thyroid gland. Only a small fraction of T4 and T3 in the bloodstream are not bound to carrier proteins and are biologically active. T3 is the most potent hormone as it is not tightly bound and has high receptor affinity. Thyroid function tests include measuring TSH, total T4 and T3 to detect dysfunction, and thyroid antibodies and thyroglobulin to determine the cause. Interpreting the patterns of TSH and thyroid hormone levels indicates primary hypo- or hyperthyroidism, or secondary disorders of the pituitary or thyroid gland