Lab ranges

[adrienne1972]

Hi can anyone explain to me why different lab results have different ranges. I was told by one endo that T4 needed to be at least 12, then was referred to another place where I was told that 7.8 was fine and within the range. I'm confused !!

[shaws Administrator]

It is the machines that labs use which can result in different ranges. I assume each hospital can order the machines themselves so they might well have different ranges. That's why ranges are important when posting results.

[bluebug in reply to shaws]

Different machines also measure things using different units. 

It's like you using feet and inches to measure height, me using centimetres, someone else using metres and a fourth person using hands. 

Some measurements can be converted easily e.g. centimetres to metres, while others require some long calculation which decreases accuracy e.g. centimetres to hands.

[Clutter]

eljii,

Lab ranges for FT4 in the UK vary.  I've seen 7-14, 10-22, 12-22, 12-24.

[Clutter]

Adrienne1972,

The analysis machine used by the lab and the averaged results in the population local to the lab determine the ranges.

[Clutter]

Eljii,

Ranges also vary in other countries which is why it is important to ask members for ranges as well as results.

[adrienne1972]

So if the starting range is 7 in one place and 12 in another - does that mean that they would both be an identical reading really ? Or does one place say 7 is ok and another 12 ? 

[Stourie in reply to adrienne1972]

Yes, both are at the bottom of the range and ideally patients would feel better with their result at the top of the range. 

Jo  xx