Are Aussie TFT ranges old or fairly updated???

[RavingMad]

I know our Aussie TFT ranges differ to those in other countries - but does anyone know if they've been 'updated' in the last few years or if the ranges have been the same for decades???

[stella5349]

From what I remember the TSH ranges where you live are still at the .5 to ( I have read) up to almost 10 to keep a person off hypothyroid medication.

The new ranges here in the states are .3-3.04

Which many doctors here do not use either.

Sounds like the UK is really not in tune with the changes either.

[RavingMad]

It's confusing when each country has their own ranges. I read other posts & see peoples levels & think "Wow, they're off the scale" - but then remember that I'm comparing to Aussie ranges. Just looked up an old test report of mine to get the ranges -

FT3  (2.5 - 6.0)
FT4  (8 - 22)
TSH  (0.30 - 4.00)

[Kipp44]

Hi - another Aussie here - the ranges vary from pathology groups too - mine done through Gribbles and ranges are:

Ft3 (didn't give a range)
Ft4 (9-25)
TSH (0.5 - 5.0)

No wonder Doctors get confused at what is normal too!

[redheadaussie]

If the doctor uses Gribbles that's the range they'll tell you about being 'normal' if they use Dorevitch then you are lucky! Unbelievable that our country still does not have standardised tests! Grrrrrrr... I go by the US base levels and hound the docs into listening!

[redheadaussie]

Oh sorry didn't really answer the question! Yes, they did change the testing parameters back in I think 2003 but not all pathologies agreed with the new "american" version and stuck to the old parameters, hence the reason we have some doctors who like the new ones and some who are old fuddy duddies and like being 'by the book' and refuse to believe the newer levels.
Cheers!

[RavingMad]

Thanks guys, very interesting, I've learnt something today!

With all the GPs, specialists & blood tests I've had - I've only ever used one pathology company, didn't realise that the ranges varied or that there were so many Aussie pathology companies! Heck, any wonder the Drs are so confused & that we have so much trouble finding the right medication & optimal dose (not to mention a diagnosis!). Wouldn't it be so much easier for everyone if we had updated universal ranges?

I use Douglass Hanly Moir, but here in NSW theres' also Symbion, Mayne Health & Laverty.

[stella5349]

Amen in the unity....

I totally agree that would be wonderful if they all were together on reference ranges.

[AR-10]

The TSH test is processed and measured the same way all over the world. The lab range varies from lab to lab, in every country, but the result is the same regardless of whether the range is 0.3-3.0 or 0.5-5.0.

A result of 1.5 is always 1.5, regardless of the lab range used.


Free T4 tests and Free T3 tests have different lab ranges in various labs because the tests are processed differently, or the machines are calibrated differently. Various manufacturers set their machines up differently.

With these tests, you must view the test result in relation to the lab ranges listed on the report.

A Free T4 result of 1.5 from one lab may be 4.2 when processed by another lab, but the test result will fall in the same AREA of the ranges the two different labs use, if that makes any sense.

[RavingMad]

Thankyou, very well explained & yes it makes sense!  : )

[Smilerdeb]

These are my reference ranges and done by Dorevitch in Australia (Melbourne)

REFERENCE RANGES

FT4 (10.0-19.0)
TSH (0.50-4.00)
FT3  (3.5-6.5)

So yes, the ranges are even different from Lab to lab in Oz.