[Ski]

#1074075

We can’t interpret your blood test results because different labs have different ranges of normal (depends on how they do their testing, etc. etc.), but if you have the test results from the lab, they should indicate THEIR normal range, and your results are typically given in such a way as to alert you to whether they are within normal ranges or not. Remember, the normal range is HUGE, so just because your levels fall within what they would call "normal," it doesn’t mean you can say to yourself, all better, phew. You may still need to dial in to your personal normal, but at least once you’re within the normal range, most of the damage caused by hyperthyroidism will stop.

For the basic tutorial on thyroid hormone levels, here you go: ” title=”Very Happy” />

TSH stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. This is a component of your thyroid hormone readings, but it is NOT thyroid hormone. This is secreted by the pituitary gland and sent to the thyroid in response to its reading of the thyroid hormone levels in your bloodstream. This value is typically inverse to your thyroid hormone levels ~ if your thyroid hormone levels are too high, the level of TSH will drop so that it stops stimulating the thyroid to produce hormone. If your thyroid hormone levels are low, the level is TSH will rise, in effect "shouting" at the thyroid to PRODUCE MORE. (ALL of this presumes your pituitary gland is working properly ~ typically not an issue with GD patients, but people with a pituitary problem may not have levels that make sense against other readings.) TSH changes extremely slowly, as it responds to something of a "long term average" rather than a momentary change. If it’s been suppressed for a long time while you were hyperthyroid, sometimes it takes a while to "bounce back" and give correct readings.

T4 is the inactive form of thyroid hormone in your bloodstream. It is held "in reserve" for your body to use as required, at which point your body converts the T4 it needs into T3. T4 is what we take when we are on synthroid or another thyroid hormone replacement. T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream.

Levels of T4 usually change rather slowly (think days). Levels of T3 can change rapidly (within hours), and typically adjust in response to immediate needs, so T4 is an easier level to get a handle on and evaluate. T4, in concert with TSH levels, gives you a pretty clear picture of where you stand.

I hope that helps!

[lilsispatrick]

#1019792

Could someone possibly help me understand these levels? These are all levels to date.
10-25-07 Free T4 1.16
10-25-07 TSH <0.01
06-12-08 T3 118
06-12-08 TSH 3.31
11-05-08 Free T4 0.92
11-05-08 TSH 0.30
12-17-08 TSH 0.77
I don’t know what is high or low or normal and what am I suppose to be looking for here?
Thanks for your help!

[npatterson]

#1074076

Ideal standards of care would test TSH, Free T4 and Free T3. Those last two tell you what is free and available for your body to use, rather than the total, which may be bound to calcium, iron, estrogens–just to name a few. That’s why you have your labs done at the same time every time, and take medicines at the same time, and thyroid by itself.

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