What are normal thyroid ranges?
What are Normal Thyroid Ranges?
I noted prior the thyroid gland and function, as well as a list of symptoms/testing below //
Sometimes it’s hard enough to get your physician to properly test your thyroid function. If you’ve gone to the dr for testing/ specific test and they laugh at you or are not accepting of your participation in YOUR own health, then that would be a HUGE red flag and make me RUN! You are not in the right place.
Once you’ve gotten testing, how do you evaluate them?
Labs have ranges and just because someone labs fall within that lab range many doctors feel there is no need to further discuss or look into symptoms and dismiss patient/clients concerns. Personally have been there early in my thyroid journey – I nearly ended up in a mental institution so it really pains me to hear that some drs don’t take their patients seriously especially when their results come back clearly flagging BELOW ranges and yet deem a patient ‘normal’
There is a big difference between ‘normal’ and optimal.
Here are 4 important thyroid tests to examine:
-TSH is just a ‘messenger’ from the brain TO the thyroid but many physicians are still using this test as the gold standard for measuring thyroid function. NO. Most healthy people have a TSH at or below one (unmedicated). A TSH about 2 or higher is often considered ‘suspect’, with ideal levels, particularly with other labs and symptoms. Noted, you can have a ‘normal’ level of TSH and still be suffering from thyroid dysfunction. It’s a good test as part of comprehensive panel but not as a stand- alone for diagnosis.
-Free T3, measures the active portion of the thyroid function IN the cells. Most integrative physicians feel that optimal is often achieved with levels at ¾ of range or higher along with alleviation of symptoms.
-Free T4 is not active. It’s actually a storage hormone but its job is important as it is supposed to convert to Free T3. Often that does not happen. Optimal levels are often quoted to be mid-range to ¾ of range with consideration to Reverse T3.
-Reverse T3 is important because it’s inactive/inverse of Free T3 and can block those receptors from receiving T3 leaving you feeling/hypothyroid. It’s often noted to have a Reverse T3 level at 16 or below.
if you cannot get help from your doctor, then consider contacting compounding pharmacies and seeing if they can make some reference to a doctor who better understands proper testing and evaluation. We are all more than just a lab range.
**intent for education not diagnosis or treatment. Always discuss concerns with your dr.**