š³ Why "in range" Thyroid Levels Aren't Enough | Issue 191
This is the number 1 reason people still feel unwell on thyroid meds.
When your doctor runs a thyroid blood test and you receive the results, your levels will either fall inside or outside of the range.
However, it is not just about falling within the range. We are looking for something more specific. I will dive in to this further in this newsletter.
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š¦ Newsletter Housekeeping š¦
This newsletter goes out every Thursday and is the best way to keep up to date with thyroid related news and hear directly from me without relying on social media algorithms.
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Each newsletter includes a blend of thyroid research, events, news, articles, discounts, tips and more. Happy reading and letās be the change we desire in the thyroid world. š
Thursday Thoughts
Optimal thyroid levels are so much more than just falling in range.
Whenever I hear from someone on thyroid medication for hypothyroidism but still feeling unwell, the first thing I ask is āAre your thyroid levels optimal?ā but what does this mean?
First, you need to confirm when your last thyroid test was ran and what was included. Hopefully it was the full set of thyroid tests: TSH, Free T3 and Free T4, but also Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies and Thyroglobulin Antibodies if possible. Not checking all of these means you donāt have the full picture of your thyroid health.
Next, we want to check if your levels are actually optimised, which is a lot more specific than just falling in range. (Ranges are given in brackets besides the test result.)
Always get a copy of your test results - printed or digital - and remember that they canāt refuse. They are your medical records.
You will find that many thyroid advocacies and progressive medical practitioners agree that when testing a thyroid panel:
a TSH less than 2.5 (and not below the bottom of the reference range)
a Free T3 around the top quarter of the given range
a Free T4 around mid-range
Antibodies as low as possible / within the normal range
are considered āoptimalā.
These optimal areas within the given range are where a lot of thyroid patients say they feel most well. It is more specific than just falling within the very wide reference range.
For you personally, you may feel best somewhere else within range, but you should try to find out and maintain levels at what you feel best at. This is the definition of optimising your thyroid treatment.
Important Points:
It is important to understand that different labs/doctors use different ranges, so you must interpret your results individually; donāt compare them to anyone elseās. You must use your labās reference ranges.
A Free T4 at 14, with a range of 9-19, is mid-range for example, but a Free T4 at 11 is mid-range for a range of 7.5-14.5. So both are considered optimal readings.
You must look at your result in comparison to the given range, usually stated in brackets, beside it. Where does it fall?
Weāre all individuals and there is no āone size fits allā, but there are obviously health risks if your thyroid hormone levels are both too low or too high for an extended period of time.
Your doctor should be open to adjusting your dose to move you within the reference range ā this really isnāt an unreasonable request, but some persuading, listing your ongoing symptoms, will be needed. So go in prepared!
Have you optimised your thyroid treatment? Let me know in the comments section.
Personal Health Check-in
After the launch of my latest thyroid book this week, I have been exhausted. Iām so pleased it had such a successful induction to the thyroidsphere, but now I need to prioritise resting and recuperating.
Social Media Spotlight
My most popular online posts in the last week were:
Donāt Miss a Thing! Follow Me On Ā»Ā» Facebook | Instagram | Threads ā
Recent newsletters you may have missed:
š¦ Don't Make These Thyroid Medication Mistakes
š How To Have an Energy Boosting Morning Routine as a Thyroid Patient
ā Does Hypothyroidism Shorten Your Life Expectancy?
You can receive 20% off any Medichecks order with the code āRACHEL20ā. This is the thyroid test I use.
Social Media Note: if you see my posts in your newsfeeds, please engage with them. Comment, like, share.. it tells the algorithm you want to see my future posts too!
My New Book: āThe Positive Thyroid pregnancy Bookā is OUT!
š„ Find it on Amazon here in paperback and Kindle!
What a journey weāve been on. š
In 2018, I experienced a miscarriage, very likely due to low thyroid levels and a few other coexisting things. For 14 months afterwards, I was immersed in researching what I could do to optimise my thyroid health so as to avoid it happening the next time I tried to conceive. Or at least reduce the chances of heartbreak or other risks and complications.
I fortunately fell pregnant again in 2019 & 2021 and had healthy, full term babies at the end but while pregnant, I also had a lot of scares, some complications and a lot to learn.
āThe Positive Thyroid Pregnancy Bookā encompasses all the incredibly valuable information I have collated during trying to conceive (and optimising my fertility), during pregnancy and optimising my health then, and postpartum, figuring out how to juggle it all so that I can be in good health while enjoying my children and being there for them.
There was no information like this, 7 years ago, when I really needed it. Sure, you can google, but all I found was worrying, anxiety provoking information about how you are doomed to never have children or maybe fall pregnant but have a high risk pregnancy with thyroid disease. Where was the positive, empowering information?!
Thatās what this book is. Iām so excited to get it out to the world.
Thank you for continuing to support me and my thyroid advocacy work.
An Open Letter to Mothers with Hypothyroidism on Motherās Day
Last week saw Motherās Day here in the UK. Read my open letter to all the mothers juggling thyroid disease here.
That's all for this issue of The Invisible Hypothyroidism Newsletter, but you can find more information and support by:
ā Reading my books and website articles
ā Following me on Facebook | Instagram | Threads
Please Note: None of the statements in this publication should be taken as an official endorsement of any particular product, including any sponsored content. I strongly suggest consulting your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle or health regimen. The information included in this publication is not meant to substitute the clinical guidance provided by a healthcare professional. Rachel Hill / The Invisible Hypothyroidism is not medically qualified and does not offer medical advice. Read the full disclaimer here.
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