The Top Ten Stories Affecting Thyroid Patients in the Decade from 2000-2009

By Mary Shomon, About.com Guide

Updated March 24, 2010

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Back in 2002, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommended using a new thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test reference range of .3 to 3.0. As we come to the close of the decade, more than seven years later, laboratories across the U.S. still use the older range of 0.5 - 5.0 (and sometimes as high as 6.0).

Endocrinologists' inability to agree is causing confusion as well as misdiagnosis and mistreatment for thyroid patients. Because while some doctors consider a TSH level above 3.0 as evidence of hypothyroidism, others refuse to acknowledge the new guidelines, and instead stubbornly cling to the older range.

Meanwhile, many general practice or family doctors -- totally unaware of the controversy in the first place -- simply review the lab reports, and base their decisions on whether the lab is flagging thyroid test results as "high" or "low." And given that labs are still using the old range, that means many patients -- some say many millions -- fall in the TSH range from 3.0 to 5.0 -- a test result limbo where while the individual may be hypothyroid and symptomatic, he or she still fails to get properly diagnosed and treated.

I've been covering the TSH reference range controversy for years. You can read some of my key articles discussing the TSH test, and the reference range controversy here:

• Understanding the TSH Test
• Endocrinologists Say TSH Normal Range is Now 0.3 to 3: Millions More at Risk
• AACE Changes Position re: TSH Normal Range
• Does Your Doctor Know About the New TSH Lab Standards?
• The TSH Reference Range Wars: What's "Normal?", Who is Wrong, Who is Right...And What Does It All Mean For You and Your Health?
• The TSH Normal Range: Why is There Still Controversy? Insights from One of the Nation's Leading Endocrinologists, Dr. Jeffrey Garber

Will professional organizations, laboratories, insurers, endocrinologists, physicians and patients come to an agreement this decade regarding a normal reference range for the TSH test? We can only hope that this rift finally is resolved, because patients are the ones who are suffering from the medical community's inability to come to an agreement.