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Lab test results
I just got my lab results, my TSH, 3RD GENERATION W/REFLES TO FT4 was 5.08 please tell me what does that mean. It says its in the high range.
That range would be for TT4, not TSH. Athough a bit confusing, the 5.04 result was for a TSH test.
I checked several sites. All I could find was that Normal Values
A typical normal range is 4.5 to 11.2 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL)
You can Google T4 results and what they mean.
Hope that helps
A typical normal range is 4.5 to 11.2 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL)
You can Google T4 results and what they mean.
Hope that helps
From what I understand, TSH W/Reflex to FT4 is a direction from the doctor that if the TSH shows high, then the lab is to also run a test for FT4. Was there also an FT4 test done? If so, please post the result and the reference range shown for that.
If the FT4 test was not done, it would have been because they were probably using the old reference range for TSH and interpreted the result as "normal". Unfortunately, many labs and doctors are still using the old reference range of .5 - 5.0, rather than the new one recommended by the AACE over 8 years ago, which is .3 - 3.0.
At any rate TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables that it is inadequate as a diagnostic for thyroid problems. At best it should be used as an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of the actual, biologically active thyroid hormones, which are FT3 and FT4. Though doctors seem to seldom request an FT3 test, it is the most important because it is the most active thyroid hormone. FT3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. FT3 also has been shown to correlate best with hypo symptoms.
With your TSH results, if you also have symptoms of being hypo then I would suggest that you need to go back and get tested for FT3 and FT4. Results for FT3 and FT4 that fall in the lower end of their ranges are frequently also consistent with being hypo. If your symptoms and FT3 and FT4 tests are consistent with hypothyroidism, then you will also need to be tested for thyhroid antibodies, TPO ab and TG ab, to determine if the cause of you being is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
If the FT4 test was not done, it would have been because they were probably using the old reference range for TSH and interpreted the result as "normal". Unfortunately, many labs and doctors are still using the old reference range of .5 - 5.0, rather than the new one recommended by the AACE over 8 years ago, which is .3 - 3.0.
At any rate TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables that it is inadequate as a diagnostic for thyroid problems. At best it should be used as an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of the actual, biologically active thyroid hormones, which are FT3 and FT4. Though doctors seem to seldom request an FT3 test, it is the most important because it is the most active thyroid hormone. FT3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. FT3 also has been shown to correlate best with hypo symptoms.
With your TSH results, if you also have symptoms of being hypo then I would suggest that you need to go back and get tested for FT3 and FT4. Results for FT3 and FT4 that fall in the lower end of their ranges are frequently also consistent with being hypo. If your symptoms and FT3 and FT4 tests are consistent with hypothyroidism, then you will also need to be tested for thyhroid antibodies, TPO ab and TG ab, to determine if the cause of you being is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
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