Having a proper understanding of what to look for or ask for on a thyroid panel is important part of the healing journey.

Let's break down a proper thyroid panel...

TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Made by your pituitary gland and tells your thyroid it needs to make more thyroid hormone.

High TSH = Slow Thyroid Function
Low TSH = Fast /Overactive Thryroid Function

When the Dr runs a thyroid lab, often times this is the ONLY marker they will run. While it is important it is only ONE piece of the thyroid puzzle.
Optimal Levels: 0.5 -2

Free T4: Thyroxine
Inactive form of thyroid hormone--shows us how much thyroid hormone your thyroid is producing
Optimal Levels: 0.8 - 1.8

Free T3: Triiodothyronine
Active thyroid hormone--shows us how much thyroid hormone is being converted
Optimal Levels: 3.2+

Reverse T3:
An anti-thyroid metabolite of T4. Puts the breaks on thyroid hormone conversion--indicates stress .
High rT3 = too low of T3
Optimal Levels: Less Than 15

Thyroid antibodies:
Thyroid Peroxidase AntiBodies
Indicate if autoimmune condition is present . When TPO Ab are elevated, this shows that the immune system is a major factor in the thyroid dysfunction.
Optimal Levels: Less Than 4 or negative

HTMA looks at how your body can utilize thyroid hormone primarily through calcium, potassium, and heavy metals.

Blood Work VS Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Testing:

Blood labs are showing the amount of thyroid hormone your body is able to produce. It does not show if your body is actually using it.
Running BOTH is important for the whole picture.

Kourtney Lewis