Your Thyroid is Normal...Or is It?
If you've been told that your thyroid is "normal," you may think that there's nothing else to investigate. But let's take a look at what it means when a doctor says "normal."
Most conventional doctors rely solely on the TSH test -- the thyroid stimulating hormone blood test -- to diagnose and manage thyroid conditions. The test measures a pituitary hormone, and is considered by many conventional physicians to be the best test -- they call it the "gold standard" -- for evaluating thyroid function. For those doctors, if your TSH test result falls within the reference range, then your thyroid is "normal."
The challenge? For five years, various groups within the endocrinology community have disagreed about the TSH test's reference range. One group favors a range of 0.5 to 5.0, while another group believes that the recommended new range of 0.3 to 3.0 should be adopted. TSH levels above the top of the range are considered evidence of hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid.
The number of Americans whose TSH levels fall in that limbo between 3.0 and 5.0 -- which is "normal" to some doctors, and hypothyroid to others -- is estimated to be in the millions. That means some people with a TSH of, for example 4.0, will have doctors who treat them for hypothyroidism. Other doctors will tell a patient with a TSH of 4.0 that "your thyroid is normal."
The solution? Always ask for the numbers. If you are told that your thyroid is normal, ask for the specific test names and results, and the reference range being used to make that decision. And, if you are experiencing symptoms, your TSH falls into that 3.0 to 5.0 limbo, and you have a doctor who believes that is normal and won't diagnose or treat you, it's time for a new doctor.
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Comments
Russell L. Blaylock,author of Excitotoxins, offers an explanation for damaged hypothalamus and pituitary glands. The typical American diet, rich in MSG, aspartame and other excitotoxins, likely causes damage to the hypothalamus & pituitary glands. Animal studies indicate smaller endocrine organs (thyroid, pancreas, sex organs, etc.) in these animals (due to the decreased output/stimulation by the hypothalamus & pituitary). And humans are actually more sensitivfe to these substances than most animals.
Even with thyroid hormone treatment, not all hypothyroid patients will feel optimum when they’re TSH is between 0.5-3.0. There are individuals (like me) whose TSH can be in the normal range, yet their T3 and T4 blood levels are below normal, indicating undertreatment.
So shouldn’t the conversation turn to which hormones indicate optimal replacement? Thyroid hormone blood levels are more important than the pituitary. An isn’t it time these endocrinologists learn to figure out when someone’s pituitary is sluggish, leading to hypo? They usually ignore this possibility as well. The thyroid blood levels (with a complete blood panel) should almost always trump the TSH. After all, shouldn’t thyroid treatment focus more on the thyroid and not the pituiry? It’s time these doctors learn to treat our thyroid glands, and not try to squeeze our TSH numbers into the tiny box of their limited outlook.
Mary’s comment is right on: the average doc doesn’t even consider the possibility of secondary (pituitary-based) hypothyroidism.
Personally, I won’t go to a doctor who speaks in normal/abnormal. My current doctor gives me my numbers for TSH, FT3, and FT4, along with what he thinks the ranges should be, everytime I’m tested. We then decide on dosage by mutual agreement, and by how I feel.
I am very confused…I am also in the same range.on armour for some time & recently told that my T4 is lacking….I have some concerns adding in levoxyl & am now breaking my armour dosage in half & taking 2x a day instead of just in AM any thoughts
I am still absolutely astonished that U.S. doctors are treating .5 to 5.0 as a ‘normal’ reading. Here in Ireland (and our medical system is way off being perfect), any readign over 4.0 or close to it would signal immediate alarm bells not only for an Endo but for a regular family physician.
‘Normal’ readings here would be regarded as 0.2 - 2.5 but it is still recognised that what might be nomral for me might be out of whack of others. For example my optimum reading is 0.27, yet a fried feels great with a reading of 1.3.
Also it may take different dosgaes to get two different people to the same readings.
Thank you, Ciara! My TSH was always around 1.3…perfectly “normal” but that didn’t stop me from getting a multinodular goiter that was literally choking me to death. Eventually after a lot of fighting to be heard, I had to have it removed but few doctors took me seriously until it was grossly obvious that my thyroid was giving me problems. All my bloodwork was always “normal” yet I’ve felt best when the doctors allow me to be around the .2 or .3 range, just like you. All it’s done is create a STRONG distrust of endocrinologists and doctors, especially concerning diagnosis of thyroid problems.
Boy do I agree with you all. My TSH is 0.78 and I have almost all the hypothyroid symptoms including low body temp of 96.8. I’m “normal” and the DR. won’t do anything! Now what do I do??
I went to the doctor feeling really fatiqued all the time. This was in late March I also gained 30 lbs since last checkup in Sept. Last year my TSH was 3.01. Now it is 4.1. According to the card I got back from the doctor’s office .35 to 5.5 is normal. Should I be calling the doctor’s office because I feel horrible.
your very obvious mis-spelling in the sentence “not all hypothyroid patients will feel optimum when they’re TSH is between 0.5-3.0.” your spelling of the word they’re is the contraction of the words they are