When you go for a thyroid diagnosis or screening, do you know what is a healthy TSH level ? Hypothyroidism may be a real problem, but are your diagnosticians fully aware of all the implications of the correct TSH level ? Read this article to find out some basic facts you will probably not find out from the medical industry.
Most Thyroid Tests Aren’t Accurate!
If you have had a family history of thyroid problems you have a good reason to be concerned about an incorrect TSH screening. It is very important to correctly interpret what is revealed in the test.
You should know that the “total T4″, “T7″, “total T3″, “T3 uptake”, “T3-by RIA” and FTI ( Free Thyroxine Index ) tests are not very reliable when it comes to determining the presence of hypothyroidism. A large majority of persons who truly have a problem with hypothyroidism are not discovered.
So…Which Tyroid Test Should I Choose?
The best test for measuring your TSH is the saliva test! Also, you can do a physical examination yourself to determine whether you have problems and is time for a test. This one is the easiest to do and you can do it yourself by just paying attention to your body. Usually, the symptoms are:
- mood changes
- eye brows are missing to the side
- very thin hair (you can literally see through it)
- very cold hands
- heavy periods
- constipation
- fatigue
- weight gain
- forgetfulness
Most times women that do no get pregnant do not ovulate because they lack the tyroid hormone in their body.
Normal T3 and T4 Levels
If you have already taken one of the tests above that measure T3 or T4, here is an interpretation guide (as I said before, blood tests got problems and may not be relevant).
A normal T3 level is between 3-8. For T4, the range is 4-11.
If T3 and T4 levels are under 3, and 4, respectively, then your thyroid is sluggish (it’s not creating enough hormones for your body). In other words, you are dealing with hypothyroidism.
For those who have values above the normal ranges, it shows an overactive thyroid, also known as hyperthyroidism. The gland is making too much hormones.
Normal TSH Levels
So, what is a normal TSH level? It should be at or below 2.0. If you have a level higher than 2.0 you are going to be one of those persons who have an increased risk of hypothyroidism. The tests mentioned above use levels of 4.0 together with the knowledge that the pituitary gland is hopefully already signalling the thyroid to increase its levels of hormone production. The pituitary gland is the “master” hormonal gland of the body, controlling the function of the other hormonal glands. It is apppropriately located in the middle of the brain. Hormones are important controllers of the functions of the body. If hormonal imbalances are suspected, there are many organic routes that can be taken to restore balance. Conventional drugs are usually not needed and their side effects can many times be worse on the body than the imbalance.
Many patients who have a TSH level of 1.5 exhibit the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Clearly, new levels of reference are needed by conventional (alternative) medicine. If you are indeed getting a test from the medical industry on your TSH level, make sure to ask them what are the normal values for TSH level and if they give you a number higher than 2.0, try to find a person with more experience.
If you do have hypothyroidism, you will need hormone replacement to get your hormone levels back to normal. Taking your replacements is a complicated process, and it is a long-term treatment (usually for the rest of your life). It will correct your problems, including the lack of energy, that results from a hormone imbalance.
How Test Results are Interpreted
Once your TSH levels are measured, the following table is used to interpret the results:
| Interpretation of Test Results |
| TSH (high), T4 (normal), T3 (normal) = Mild Hypothyroidism |
| TSH (high), T4 (low), T3 (low/normal) = Hypothyroidism |
| TSH (low), T4 (normal), T3 (Normal) = Mild Hyperthyroidism |
| TSH (low), T4 (High/Normal), T3 (High/Normal) = Hyperthyroidism |
| TSH (low), T4 (low/normal), T3 (low/normal) = Non-thyroidal illness or rare pituitary hypothyroidism |
A piece of advice…Do Not Stop Here!
Do additional tests to make sure you do not have other issues with your thyroid. Generally, if the doctors find something, they must do additional test for other hypothyroid disorders at play. If they don’t, it is your responsibility to take action. Graves disease is an auto immune disorder that has devastating effects and it goes beyond just a low T3 and T4 level. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is another disease that consists of symptoms of both hypothyroidism and also hyperthyroidism.
Videos about TSH Levels
Here is a video explaining what is TSH. It also includes a short guide on how to read your results.
This is the best video on interpreting tyroid results, although it is a bit longer (15 minutes), but it contains all the info you need and more.
The video below was made by dr. David Schiller who explains why your thyroid symptoms persist although you have normal lab values
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My level of thyroid is .16 am I high or low?
Hi. I’m 38 and after going for fertility blood tests my doctor said I had Hypothyroidism. Results were TSH 30.49 and Free T4 10.5. I am not overweight and did not notice any symptoms apart from Raynauds, depression and tiredness. I’m now on 50mcg Levothyroxine a day. I did a basal temperature chart the month before I found out about the thyroid and it did indicate that I was ovulating. It looks like I also ovulated this month whilst on the medication. Does this mean that my thyroid problem isn’t the cause of me not getting pregnant? Does Hypothyroidism cause other problems with trying to conceive, or is it just that it may stop ovulation? Should I ask my doctor for other tests in case it’s something else other than my thyroid that’s causing the problem? Many thanks.
My wife’s TSH value is showed greater than 100. Please advise me what step I have to take next?
i have a tsh of 5.1-if left untreated what can i expect?
my tsh level is above 100. what can i do
my tsh 8.37 t3 /t4 r normol my age is 22 sugeest me
My fsh level is 16.4.now what should i do? Reply me plZ
my TSH is 0.13 is this high or low
im 42 my thyroid count is 2.9 i dont really understand what this means so i would be great full for some help. thanks
my TSH IS 10.96 AND MY FT4 is . 1.59 can it reduce to normal level?and can it produce problem in pregnancy?plz reply me?
I.m 42yrs .I take 200mg a day without fail .diagnosed as having underactive thyroid since 12 years. In March this yr my TSH was 184 now in October its down to 0.84! how can this happen?
a tsh of 5.5 does this warrant treatment
Can someone help me. I found out in Jan I had a thyroid problem due to heartrate of 140 just relaxing. I have enormous goiters. My thyroid enlarged past my clavicle. My tsh go high and low. Waiting for them to become normal to have it removed for fear that if its not it can drop all hormone and kill me. I got frustrated and stopped taking my.medicine. my hair started falling out so went and got my blood work done like I do every 4 weeks. It is 2.3 which is the best its been ever. Everything I read says it is in normal range. Well now she said it is to high and want it at 1.8. It doesn’t make sense to me. Isn’t it in normal range to remove it????? Please help
My test results are in. I have gained 20 pounds in about 35 months and I stay tired and have itchy dry skin. My doc recommended a thyroid test. I was told that it was all normal. TSH is 0.99
T4 is 0.79
T3 is 2.8. Wanted to know if this is normal or is it sluggish
I did investigations today as advice. My TSH is 2.29 uIU/ml and Prolactin 6.14 ng/mL. Are these normal? Should I be worried cuz 3 years since I got married but I was not able to conceive, is there any link to my previous taking of accutane for 8 months.
my tsh is more than 60 please advice to reduce / suggest with remedies
hello my tsh level 0.13
is this normal or not
and i have problem to much tired after journy
i have hypothyroidism itake 100mg tab .my tsh is now 5.5, iam very tired .iam asking this tab.is high? can iget reply soon
Just wanting some advice….
I am 9 months post surgery for Thyroid Cancer (papillary) and I’m struggling to get the correct dose of meds. My Endo who I see every three months says I need to have an undetectable TSH so the cancer doesnt return. A month ago I started a new dose of 100mcg of thyroxine per day… Previously on 150 and ended up in hospital due to mild heart failure, heat intolerance, blurred vision etc.
My latest labs are
TSH 0.03 ref range 0.50-4.0
Ft3 4.8 ref 3.5-6.5
Ft4 20.3 ref 10.0-19
2months ago my TSH was <0.002 and feeling horrible, it's come up Abit now but my Endo said she will most likely up the meds again to suppress it.
Any thoughts??
My test results is TSH 8.06
A year ago I have had radioactive iodine, but is seems it doesn’t help me much. I sill have arterial fibrillation. Sometime for about 16 hours.
I am 60 years old.
My TSH is 4.75 ,T3-90.11 and T4-6.37 Please advise me what to do.
My test report indicates TSH – 14.92, T3 – 2.14, T4 – 84.47
I am aged 37 years. Pl advice me on my next step.
tsh 11.3 after 1 mnth tsh 0/089 tab thyroxine 100 wat thyroid for me is it curable
My TSH is 15.61 Mic/ml & T4 & T3 is normal, so what is the seviarity ? Wht should be TSH ? what is the best meidicine it will come done on quickly.
i had viral gastroenterritis after which the GP diagnosed i had hypothyroidism,my TSH level is 9.11.I am on 100microgram of thyroxine,do i have to be on the medication for life?
Hi guys, i had gotten the results for my blood work yesterday.
When i had the blood work sheet it had everything checked off to check EVERYTHING. Complete physical if you may.
But i have extremely bad anxiety. When i was first diagnosed with it (2 years ago) i had gotten blood work done then and my family doctor never called me back in to review the sheet.
THIS year, last week i gotten the blood work done for everything. The test brought up that i have a TSH level of 6.0 or more. It wasn’t specified when the walk in doctor i saw was telling me the results. He just told me 6.0 and told me it was a borderline TSH level and wanted me to get a Ultrasound and blah blah.
Could someone tell me if that level is BAD?
Send me an email or reply to this today Please my anxiety is killing me
Steven-carr@hotmail.com
I have read so many comments on the levels of tsh but none of them specify the units….i would appreciate if people do specify the correct unit of measurements…thnx
Hi, My TSH level is 10.11 UIU/ML. I’m getting married next month. Doctor said that i have mild Hypothyroidism and suggested to take Thyroxine Sodium Tablets IP 50mcg and also said that if i fail to tale tablets everyday, i’ll get a mentally retarded child. I’m so scared, please suggest whether this can be cured permanently and does this affect child’s birth.
my tsh is 2.95 is it safe for pregnancy or should i go for another test or treatment .urgent reply my age is 24 years
i m 25 years old,my TSH level 12.5 ,i m now on 50mcg Thyronorm tablets for every day,can it produce problem in pregnancy,its most one of the problem in pregnancy,whts food amd diates control,pls advice me,pls replay.
thanks
sathya
my wife ,s tsh level is 5.8 and normal values are between 0.5 to 5 so what should i do? go for treatment or not?
My T4 is 11.2 please help me out for medicine
my tsh is 10.59 and i am 33 years t3 and t4 are normal .what precaution i should take and what are the problems occur in future.
My ths is 14. I’ keep getting sick as if my immune system is low. I have gained 30 lbs in a year since I had my thyroid out bc of a benign nodule that was large. I am now on 150 synthroid medicine. Will this make a difference in my energy level etc?
I am 30 yrs woman and my tsh is 4.62 IS it normal or I have to visit doctor
my tsh level is 2.25..technique used clia advia centura cp fully automated immunoassay analyser
i am shashirao 52 female My T3 is95.55 ng/dl T4 8.18 TSH 5.773 please advise me wat to do
my TSH level is 2.59. Iam in 28 old. please advise me what to do
hi iam 26 years olde recentely i got married befor four months back before marriage i go for the test the doctor said you have 3.3 thyriod please give me best suggestion what i do thanks,
My wife’s TSH is 5.08, T3-0.90 & T4-10.3 as per recent Lab. report. Please advise me is it need medicatio
My TSH level is 11.30 my dr told me its on low side I take synthroid 0.125MG any advices plz bc I m trying for the baby too
Hai….i hv hypothyroidism problem and the levels of tsh ls 6.29 uLU/ml….so, right now am not taking any medicine . Plz suggest me best diet plan for hypothyroidism….
I have been taking Levothyroxine for over 20 years at 100MCG. Since Jan 1st, bc of expense I cut it in half . I had labs done on1-25-13 which resulted in my TSH levels at .33. Doc said he wanted to test TSH again in March.I did and those results were the 26.93. My labs came back today with my TSH at 26.93 My IM doc wants me to be seen by a specialist. Can’t i just go back to 100MCG and it will be ok? I cannot afford to see a specialist. Thoughts?
Hi, my wife’s TSH is 56.5, T3 and T4 are under normal range. Her age is 27 years and pregnant from 6 weeks. Doctor suggests a medicine a medicine (thyroxine sodium tablets)for a month.
Pls suggest…..
my eyebrows are falling out, hair thinning, singing voice disappearing,chronic fatigue, sensitivity, infection,, depression, brittle nails, chilled or over heated, mostly cold, chronic migraines, my thyroid test was 1.82 the kaiser Dr. says its normal test.