What do Thyroid Test Results Mean?
Doctors typically base diagnosis of thyroid disease on the "normal" range for the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test. While the previous normal range for thyroid test results was between 0.5 and 5.0, the new guidelines narrow the range for acceptable thyroid function to between 0.3 and 3.04.
Under the new guidelines, as many as 27 million people may have abnormal thyroid function--more than double the number of people thought to have abnormal thyroid function under the old guidelines. These estimates would make thyroid disease more common in North America than diabetes.
Women are at an increased risk for thyroid disease, as they are five to eight times more likely than men to be diagnosed. The elderly are also at an increased risk--by the age of 60 years, as many as 17 percent of women and nine percent of men have an underactive thyroid. Thyroid disease is also linked to other autoimmune diseases, including certain types of diabetes, arthritis and anemia.
The most common conventional way physicians diagnose hypothyroidism is with a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test. The range for acceptable thyroid function is between 0.3 and 3.04.
However, these test results can be misleading.
According to Dr. Joseph Mercola,
"In my experience, most adults with levels over 3 have hypothyroidism, and many with levels from 1.5 to 3.0 seem to benefit from thyroid support.
"Let me repeat this as it is easy to overlook: BE CAREFUL, as most physicians will dismiss your TSH results as “normal” because they will be using outdated reference ranges."
"If your TSH is above 1.5, then it is highly likely your thyroid is not working as it should."
According to Dr. Michael Lam, many patients with TSH level of 2.0 or more have classic symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism. Even though their TSH is considered "normal" by traditional standards, many are suffering from under active thyroid or sub-clinical hypothyroidism.
TSH alone, however, is not an accurate test of all forms of hypothyroidism but only primary hypothyroidism.
Addition tests like Free T3 (FT3) and Free T4 (FT4) are required. Some doctors also test for elevated thyroid antibodies in addition to FT3 and FT4. Many patients, especially women with elevated antibodies are in the process of developing autoimmune thyroid disease. Early detection is important to effect appropriate treatment. Even with normal TSH levels, the majority of symptomatic women with elevated antibodies, low FT3 and low FT4 require thyroid hormone replacement to feel well.
If you are told your thyroid test results are normal and you are still experiencingsymptoms of hypothyroid, you may wish to seek out a practitioner who is willing to base treatment on symptoms rather than lab results.
Resources:
Major Revision of Hypothyroid Diagnosis Guidelines
A new range for the diagnosis of thyroid disease will result in proper diagnosis for over 25 million Americans who suffer from a mild thyroid disorder, but have gone untreated until now. But does proper treatment involve synthetic thyroid hormone.
Experts Change Low Thyroid Diagnosis Criteria
Finally the thyroid experts are beginning to realize what some of us have been promoting for many years. Nearly 13 million Americans have thyroid disease, but more than half of these people remain undiagnosed. Additionally, fewer than 15% of America
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