Lab result question

[HollieBerry]

Random question, but does anyone know why when we receive results with ‘normal range’ in brackets at the side, why they don’t have an example of a ‘normal range’ for patients currently on thyroid medication as well? As I understand the normal ranges are different for treated vs untreated

Thanks in advance x

[diogenes Remembering]

They don't. because the current advised (but wrong) thinking assumes that what applies to healthy people also applies to patients on therapy - actually in fact this is wrong both for FT4 and TSH. And FT3 is hardly ever measured, so nothing is found out about that

[HollieBerry in reply to diogenes]

Sorry for the late reply. Thanks for the response. So it’s something wrong with the testing and evaluation system then? 😕

[diogenes Remembering in reply to HollieBerry]

The testing system, if one uses all the relevant tests, could be fine. The trouble with evaluation is that it now is mechanically obtained by looking at the numbers and not the patient. The system works by saying you are adequately treated if you fall into the wide categories suitable for all patients. The trouble is that you really fit into a small area of that, and falling outside must lead to inferior health even though you are within the "normal" range.