TSH levels increase when the T4 levels drop, and the TSH falls when T4 levels increase.
A TSH test alone does not consider overall thyroid metabolism, H.P.A. feedback loops, or autoimmune factors that are identified by thyroid antibody testing.
A high TSH with or without changes in T4 or T3 is diagnostic to determine hypothyroidism. If the thyroid is not making enough T4 the pituitary will pump out TSH to stimulate its production.
A low TSH is used to determine hyperthyroid activity. If the thyroid is overactive, such as in Grave’s disease, the antibodies bind to active thyrotropin (TSH) receptors on the thyroid cells and stimulate T4 production without the influence of TSH. Some antibodies may inhibit thyroid function by inactivating instead of stimulating thyrotropin receptors. This is called an autoimmune hypothyroid. These patterns will demonstrate a hypothyroid pattern (elevated TSH) with elevated thyroid antibodies.
TSH Laboratory Reference Range: 0.35 – 5.5 (varies from one lab to another). (Australian Lab still using 0.5 to 5)
There are new ranges released in 2012 but many labs still continue to use the old ranges.
TSH Functional or Optimal Reference Range: 1.5 to 3.0
Selenium, Zinc and Iodine
Iron
If you don’t have iron, your body will not make tyrosine and therefore, not make T4
Magnesium
Your body will also not be able to make adrenaline without iron and it is adrenaline that holds magnesium in the blood.
Calcium
Magnesium is important for absorption of calcium.
you NEED calcium and other trace minerals to become alkaline
Potassium
Get the two Vitamin D blood tests done,
25-‐OHD
and
125-‐OHD,
“optimal” Vitamin D level is around the high-‐end of normal which is 80-‐100 ng/ml.
Thyroid and Low levels of 25(OH)D along with elevated levels of 1,25(OH)2D has been documented in several autoimmune disorders. It has been suggested that VDR dysregulation resulting from infections or disease results in decreased CYP24 activity resulting in increased 1,25(OH)2D levels which in turn result in decreased 25(OH)D levels as a result of the physiologic negative feedback.
Lower serum 1,25(OH)2D but not 25(OH)D has been documented in patients with thyroid cancer as compared with normal individuals.
Cholesterol
Poor thyroid function is another potential cause of elevated LDL-P particle number. Thyroid hormone has multiple effects on the regulation of lipid production, absorption, and metabolism. It stimulates the expression of HMG-CoA reductase, which is an enzyme in the liver involved in the production of cholesterol.
A complete test might consist of the following:
Complete Metabolic Panel, not a basic metabolic panel. You have a thyroid disorder and you need as much information as POSSIBLE!
A complete thyroid panel which needs to include TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Total T4, Free Thyroxine Index, Resin T3 Uptake,TPO and TGB antibodies,TBG and Reverse T3.
You NEED to know as much about your thyroid gland as possible and ALL of these blood tests will tell you.
A complete lipid panel and a CBC with auto differential which breaks down the white and red blood cells.
Testing for gluten reactivity, gut function, cross-‐ reactive foods and other parts of your body that your immune system could be attacking.
Leaky gut
An ASI (Adrenal Stress Index) which checks your adrenal glands.
Your adrenal glands are your “stress glands.”
Long standing adrenal stress can:
•increase thyroid binding protein activity which prevents thyroid hormone from entering the cell,
•impedes the production of T4 to T3,
•causes cells to lose their sensitivity to thyroid hormone and
•weakens the immune system.
A 2105 stool microbial test looking to see if you have parasites or h-‐pylori or fungi or mold in your gut.
An Organic acid test which tests for carbohydrate metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, energy production markers,
body pH has to be between 6.4 – 7.0