I'm Normal! Maybe...

Yayyy! I just got my TSH test results back from my physician and my TSH result was 2.630 (Normal Range: 0.358-3.740). I was told to continue taking 75 mcg of Levothyroxine. Hopefully my TSH level remains "normal" for a while...one can hope, right?

I have been hearing a lot about getting not only my TSH level tested, but also getting T4, Free T3 & Free T4 tests done. TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) evaluates your overall thyroid function. T4 (Total Thyroxine) evaluates the total amount of T4 produced by the thyroid gland. Free T4 (Free Thyroxine) evaluates the amount of T4 available to the cells and tissues. Free T3 (Free Tri-iodothyronine) measures the amount of T3 (the active form of the hormone) available to the cells and tissues.

So, what is "thyroxine"?

According to You & Your Hormones, thyroxine is the main hormone secreted into the bloodstream by the thyroid gland. It is inactive and most of it is converted to an active form called triiodothyronine by organs such as the liver and kidneys. Thyroid hormones play vital roles in regulating the body’s metabolic rate, heart and digestive functions, muscle control, brain development and maintenance of bones. Retrieved from http://www.yourhormones.info/Hormones/Thyroxine.aspx

So, why have my T4, Free T3, & Free T4 tested as well as my TSH?

According to WebMD:

A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test is used to check for thyroid gland problems. TSH is produced when the hypothalamus releases a substance called thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then triggers the pituitary gland to release TSH. TSH causes the thyroid gland to make two hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). T3 and T4 help control your body's metabolism.

• Total thyroxine (T4). Most of the thyroxine (T4) in the blood is attached to a protein called thyroxine-binding globulin. Less than 1% of the T4 is unattached. A total T4 blood test measures both bound and free thyroxine. Free thyroxine affects tissue function in the body, but bound thyroxine does not.
• Free thyroxine (FTI or FT4). Free thyroxine (T4) can be measured directly (FT4) or calculated as the free thyroxine index (FTI). The FTI tells how much free T4 is present compared to bound T4. The FTI can help tell if abnormal amounts of T4 are present because of abnormal amounts of thyroxine-binding globulin.
• Triiodothyronine (T3). Most of the T3 in the blood is attached to thyroxine-binding globulin. Less than 1% of the T3 is unattached. A T3 blood test measures both bound and free triiodothyronine. T3 has a greater effect on the way the body uses energy than T4, even though T3 is normally present in smaller amounts than T4.

Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/thyroid-hormone-tests

Retrieved from: http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=6576.1800

SO......

Looks like I wll be calling my doctor again soon. I would like to end this post with a little thyroid humor...enjoy!