TSH Test

[KimT420]

I had a panel of blood work done recently for an annual physical. My TSH level came back as 5.09, so the doctor reordered the test and said it normally comes back as normal the second time. I had the test done again and my TSH level is 2.56. I am very healthy and have no symptoms of hypothyroidism--and the second test indicates everything is fine. My question is--why would the first test come back so high in error? Is this an error on the part of the laboratory? Thanks!

[KimT420]

Thanks for the comment! My original panel of blood work included those tests and they came back normal.

[goolarra]

It's probably not a lab error...TSH is very volatile and fluctuates considerably even intraday.  So, even the time of day the blood was drawn can affect it.  If you feel fine, you have nothing to worry about.  TSH, by itself, is a screening test at best.  If you want to delve into this further at a later date, ask your doctor to order free T3 and free T4 as well as TSH.  T3 and T4 are the actual thyroid hormones and give a much better thyroid profile.