One of my clients recently requested a full thyroid panel, only to be told by her doctor that it wasn’t necessary since her TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) levels looked fine. This isn’t uncommon, and I hear it time and again from clients: they’re experiencing symptoms that are classic signs of low thyroid function, yet their doctors assure them everything’s “normal” because TSH levels are within range.
Common Symptoms of Low Thyroid Function:
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
- Fatigue and low energy
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Cold hands and feet
- Brain fog
- Shorter menstrual cycles, heavier periods, and menstrual pain
Why TSH Alone Isn’t Enough
Yes, TSH can be helpful as a preliminary indicator, and it’s often the first thyroid test run by doctors. However, TSH doesn’t give a complete picture of thyroid health. It’s possible to have normal TSH levels while still experiencing major thyroid issues that cause symptoms like the ones listed above.
What Should Be Included in a Full Thyroid Panel?
For a complete assessment of thyroid health, I recommend a full thyroid panel that includes the following tests:
- TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone): Produced in the pituitary gland, TSH signals the thyroid gland to increase or decrease production of thyroid hormones.
- Free T4 (Thyroxine): The inactive form of thyroid hormone. It must be converted into T3, the active form, to be usable by the body.
- Free T3 (Triiodothyronine): The active thyroid hormone responsible for brain function, heart and digestive health, energy regulation, metabolism, muscle control, and bone health.
- Thyroid Antibodies (TPO and TGAB): Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGAB) can indicate an autoimmune response where the immune system mistakenly attacks thyroid components, leading to inflammation and potential tissue damage.
- Reverse T3 (optional): An inactive form of T3, Reverse T3 opposes T3, essentially acting as a brake on metabolic processes. Free T3 is like the gas pedal, driving metabolism, while Reverse T3 serves as a counterbalance.
Consult a Functional Health Practitioner
Once you’ve received your thyroid panel results, it’s important to review them with a Functional Health Practitioner who can interpret the findings using functional, or optimal, ranges. This approach provides a deeper understanding of thyroid function than standard ranges often used in conventional labs.
