And the verdict is...Kernel Mustard, in the study, with the lead pipe. Ah, one of my favorite games, Clue. The object of the game is to assemble all the pertinent information to know what's going on without using too many turns. Everyone should hope that their doctor played this as a kid. They will be more likely to run enough test to find out what's going on without running up an unnecessary bill. A doctor that just test TSH and T4 for thyroid function may not have played Clue as a child.
TSH and T4 are lab markers that almost every doctor uses to assess the function of the thyroid and its ability to produce thyroid hormone. Unfortunately, this not only does not give you enough information to make an informed decision, it may lead you to believe things that are completely wrong.
TSH (or thyroid stimulating hormone) can be high when low thyroid hormone (T4 and T3) appears in the report. This is your classic hypothyroid presentation. TSH raises in response to the low thyroid hormone so that it can make more to be used by the body.
Here's the catch. There are other things that can affect the overproduction of TSH. Changes in the weather, time of day, type of foods you eat, amount of exercise you do, amount of toxins exposed to, nutrient depletion, etc. all can change the numbers from the lab. Those numbers can end up all over the place, even if they are taken just hours apart. Here's what that means:
- Abnormal levels may be temporarily abnormal in order to deal with what's going on at that moment. This is called a false positive.
- Levels that may be abnormal may dip into the "normal" range in order to deal with what's going on at that moment. This is called a false negative.
- "Normal" levels may be misleading. What's normal for one is not normal for another. Not to mention that "normal" levels change every so often and from lab to lab. "Normal" is a nice place to start, but is not meant to be set in stone.
The TSH and T4 levels need to be compared to other test (free T3, free T4, reverse T3, reverse T4, axillary body temperature, iodine testing, hormone testing, adrenal testing, toxicity testing, detoxification testing, insulin sensitivity, neurotransmitter levels, nutrient concentration, serum ferritin levels, physical exam findings, physical presentation, pertinent history, family history, symptom survey, or anything else that is relevant...but not anyone in particular or all of them either).
Not everyone needs tons of testing, but there are clues to look for that will help you find more clues as to what is going on. You'll never know who did it, with what and where with just the bare minimal testing, or TSH and T4.
3 comments:
Dear Dr Joe,
In your list of tests to do you mention reverse T4. Is this an error or does reverse T4 really exist ? If it does, could you explain to me how it becomes 'reversed' ?
Thank you so much, Lili
I remembered when I had surgery a 5 years ago, my thyroid levels had decreased and the Dr. recommended thyroid supplement . As I was doing some research about the thyroid supplements available I happened upon desiccated bovine thyroid. After using desiccated bovine thyroid for 3 days, I felt a noticeable difference in my body, mind, attitude and physical capability.
Actually, I don't think Dr Joe exists ! lol
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