All these numbers...so confused!

[mlarimer206]

For years every time I visit a doctor and we discuss my symptoms (fatigue, irregular heartbeat, always cold, low BP, profuse sweating when I'm cold, mental cloudiness, etc.) they always run a thyroid test. I've probably had 5 tests in the last 15 years. Yet I always come back in the "normal range".

Lately, I've been hearing more and more about this "normal range" changing and lab numbers being off. So this last time I asked my doctor what my specific numbers were. My TSH is .75 and she said that's well within normal.

When I go online to look at the normal range "scales" I get so confused by the numbering system they use. If you are higher than the range you are not producing tyroid? Or do I have that backwards? Some call it 3 - 6 some say .1 - .3...I'm so confused.

Bottomline, can someone help me determine whether my TSH of .75 normal, borderline, low or high according to the most current scale? Thanks so much.

[Andros]

For years every time I visit a doctor and we discuss my symptoms (fatigue, irregular heartbeat, always cold, low BP, profuse sweating when I'm cold, mental cloudiness, etc.) they always run a thyroid test. I've probably had 5 tests in the last 15 years. Yet I always come back in the "normal range".

Lately, I've been hearing more and more about this "normal range" changing and lab numbers being off. So this last time I asked my doctor what my specific numbers were. My TSH is .75 and she said that's well within normal.

When I go online to look at the normal range "scales" I get so confused by the numbering system they use. If you are higher than the range you are not producing tyroid? Or do I have that backwards? Some call it 3 - 6 some say .1 - .3...I'm so confused.

Bottomline, can someone help me determine whether my TSH of .75 normal, borderline, low or high according to the most current scale? Thanks so much.

AACE recommends the range for TSH to be 0.3 to 3.0. Some say even lower on the tip number. Must of us feel best under 1.0

However, you may be hyperthyroid. A person cannot be diagnosed on TSH alone. I would be curious to see your FREE T4 and FREE T3.

And have you had antibodies run?

Here are the tests that I personally recommend to get to the bottom of it for you can have thyroid panel come back in normal range yet be very very ill from the thyroid antibodies.


TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin),TPO (antimicrosomal antibodies) TBII (thyrotropin-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin), Thyroglobulin Ab, ANA (antinuclear antibodies), (thyroid hormone panel) TSH, Free T3, Free T4.

You can look this stuff up here and more.........
http://www.labtestsonline.org/unders...s/thyroid.html

I would also ask for a ferritin test.........

Ferritin http://www.thewayup.com/newsletters/081504.htm
Your symptoms sound suspiciously like low ferritin also. That and hyper. They actually go hand in hand we are finding.

[GD Women]

Bottomline, can someone help me determine whether my TSH of .75 normal, borderline, low or high according to the most current scale? Thanks so much.


Your TSH reads low but within your Labs reference range.

As of February 2010, at most laboratories in the U.S., the official "normal" reference range for the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) blood test runs from approximately .5 to 4.5/5.0.