Why you need more than a TSH test when running thyroid labs

June 30th, 2016 by

TSH – “the gold standard” is not a full thyroid function panel. It’s a “messenger hormone from the brain” test.

I was reviewing a clients lab tests that her doctor ran and came to realize that there was not a full panel of tests but only TSH. Sadly this happens quite often and I have to send them onward again to seek out the right testing.

TSH is often used as the GOLD standard for testing thyroid function. Many doctors (not mine!) use this test as the gold . More often than not this fails the patient and can fail to identify problems, particularly dysfunctions or diseased states when you are looking at one ISOLATED test. While TSH can be telling of some information much of the information -puzzle pieces if you will, are missing.

TSH, which stands for Thyroid stimulating Hormone is actually a pituitary (brain) hormone and not an actual thyroid hormone/function test. It job is to influences the thyroid but it’s often not indicative of what can be going on in diseased states or hypothyroidism.

If your doctor is only titrating (adjustmenting) medication based on TSH there is no other information to know if the medication you are taking is converting (breaking down) into the actual hormones.

If you are going for thyroid testing which needs to be a FULL panel or you are just wasting your time. Ask your doctor what tests they are going to test and insist on the right ones. Most functional medicine, Integrative and Anti-aging doctors run these as a standard but others, errr, not so much. Additionally Interpretation to these tests again can be subjective but at least getting the right tests you’re on the right track.

These tests should include:
Free T3
Free T4
Reverse T3
TSH
Thyroid Antibodies – TPO and TGab for Hashimoto’s & TSI and TRab if one might suspect Graves.

There are options for online self testing but keep in mind you still need a doctor for interpretation.. I’d try and find a dr that will work with you. Compounding pharmacies are great resources you can reach out to