Clarify lab numbers

[loonette]

Hi,
As I go through this site I see that some people have TSH numbers as high as 25, 19, etc.  In my lab report I have a range of .4- 4.5 (my TSH is 2.16).  I am confused by this.  Any clarification would help.  Also, people have talked about anitbodies being tested.  My doctor has diagnosed me with Hashimoto's (the oh so big goiter is a clear giveaway), but I don't see the lab for antibody testing.  Is it under a different name or acronym?

[laura1967]

IF you have Hashimoto's, then according to my endo your TSH should be suppressed to .50-1.0.....anything over that and you are hypo with symptoms.
The new ranges are 0.30-3.0.......but normal doesn't mean normal for hashi patients. Most important is what your free t4 and free t3 levels are....not the tsh. The free's tell you what your active hormone levels are. TSH tells pituitary function, and does not give the whole picture.

[goolarra]

The currently accepted range for TSH is 0.3-3.0.  Many labs and doctors still use older ranges.

TSH can rise into the hundreds...the more hypo you are, the higher it gets.  Your 2.16 is within normal limits using any of the ranges.

Your doctor cannot diagnose Hashi's without antibody tests.  They might be hiding out on your lab report as TPOab (thyroide peroxidase, sometimes also called microsomal) and TGab (thyroglobulin).  Both of these should be very low to non-existent, otherwise Hashi's is confirmed.  A goiter can be caused by any number of thyroid conditions, so does not confirm Hashi's by itself.  Hope you find the antibody tests.