Interpreting column on printout

[Katoir]

Hi there

Can someone give me a bit of a steer?

I have test results and I want to know what the last columns mean - eg in reference to TSH (15.5) which of course indicates underactive thyroid next to it reads 0.35-4.94mlU/L .

What does that part refer to or mean?

Thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Katoir 0.35-4.94 is the reference range for your TSH test. Your result is way over range which, as you say, shows underactive thyroid.

[bantam12]

The numbers after the result show the range for that particular blood test.

[bluebug]

The majority of doctors interpret any level at the boundaries of and in the range as being normal. However those with more knowledge have different opinions.

Anyway your result is well above range.

[Katoir]

I know it's well above range but I'm still confused - are you saying that's the range they would expect the figure to fall in to constitute 'normal' or that's how far out of range is or..... ????

What is the point of those figures after the single reading?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Katoir]

The theory is that if your TSH is not within that range of 0.35 to 4.94, you are not 'normal'.

The ranges are established by the manufacturers of the testing kits/machines and the labs which operate them. They do vary between labs within a country - and between countries.

Many people believe that the ranges themselves are questionable. Most particularly people can have results which are in range but are suffering from symptoms of hypothyroidism (or, of course, hyperthyroidism). For me, my first TSH result was about 2 - and that looks to be well within range. Over the next year or so, it rose to just over 5.

It seems to be common for doctors to not treat until TSH reaches 10, and sometimes not even then.

[bluebug in reply to helvella]

The range is what 95% of the "healthy" population in that "area" fall into as measured by that lab.

The definition of "healthy" is open to interpretation as someone of a TSH of 4.94 would feel dreadful.

[humanbean]

0.35-4.94mlU/L

If your TSH was 0.35 your doctor would say your TSH was normal.

If your TSH was 4.94 your doctor would say your TSH was normal.

If your TSH was anywhere between 0.35 and 4.94 your doctor would say your TSH was normal.

If your TSH was below 0.35 your doctor would say your TSH was not normal and would say you were hyperthyroid (i.e. had an over-active thyroid).

If your TSH was above 4.94 your doctor would say your TSH was not normal and would say you were hypothyroid (i.e. had an under-active thyroid).

I've exaggerated for effect. But that is basically what the numbers after your result mean.

In reality, your doctor is likely to say that a TSH above 4.94 is normal too, until the result got above 10. Then he/she might think you were mildly hypothyroid, no big deal, perhaps you might need treatment. Once your TSH reached about 30 the doctor might think you were likely to feel a little bit ill, but again, some sadists think that is no big deal either. Once it got to about 50 they might start commiserating with you and think you must feel terribly ill. I'm exaggerating slightly with my comments on those higher numbers (but really not by that much based on some comments I've read on thyroid forums).

It's true though - doctors are impressed by very big numbers or very small numbers when it comes to thyroid testing.

Your doctor should be treating you with a TSH of 15.5. Is this happening? Or have you been fobbed off for a few months?