Reading Thyroid Test Results

[lalanelly]

I have a question regarding my recent test result. My TSH reading was 2.62..Is that normal? Or on the low or high side? I am supposed to have a t3 and t4 test done as well. Any info regarding my result would be so appreciated.

[lalanelly]

I have been searching for the link I looked at and cannot find it...I stupidly did not book mark it..I will keep looking

[lalanelly]

I have been searching for the link I looked at and cannot find it...I stupidly did not book mark it..I will keep looking

[gimel]

Could you please give me the link to that info.  I'd really like to have a look and understand more.  

[lalanelly]

Your right, they did do a free T4 but just a T3..Here are the ranges for the Free T4 it's
0.81-1.54 ng/dl and the t3 is 58-159 ng/dl. No, they didnt do any adrenal testing.In my quest to make sense of the results I looked it up online and they had a graph with numbers that were almost exact to mine and thats what they said..

[gimel]

If you have them please post the reference ranges for the FT4 and T3 tests.  I think that you go a total T3, instead of a Free T3 test.   That happens quite frequently.  Sometimes the doctor just decides to do the Total.   Sometimes the lab people are just so used to doing a Total they forget that it was supposed to be a Free T3.  

Was there any adrenal testing done?  Just wondered how they decided you needed some adrenal support.

[lalanelly]

My new results are in..My T4 is .90 and my T3 is 95..when I tried to look up what the results mean, It said something about needing adrenal support. I am now more confused then ever..

[lalanelly]

Thank you for your response. She has ordered the T3 and T4 tests and after the Holiday I will go have them done. I have pretty bad fatigue but, I am also anemic and low Vit D. Weight gain,and just a general brain fogginess if that makes any sense? My mother and sister have hypothyroidism. Thank you so much for the clarification on the freeT3 and 4 tests and I will be sure to confirm that those indeed are the ones she ordered.

[gimel]

It is within the AACE's currently recommended range of .3 - 3.0; however TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables that at best it is only an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, which are Free T3 and Free T4.  Note that these are not the same as Total T3 and Total T4, which are somewhat outdated and not nearly as informative as FT3 and FT4.  Free T3 is the most important of the tests because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  Studies have also shown that FT3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while FT4 and TSH did not correlate very well at all.  

All that said, what symptoms do you have that might relate to a thyroid problem?  

When you go in for the next tests you should make sure to request that they are Free T3 and Free T4.  If the doctor resists, don't accept any excuses just insist on it and don't take no for an answer.  Remember that you are the customer.

When test results are available please get a copy of the lab report and post results and reference ranges shown on the report and members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.  The doctor is required to give you a copy of the lab report upon your request.