08/31/2025
So many of us have thyroid issues and so many of us feel the same on medication...
UNDERSTANDING YOUR THYROID LABS: A SIMPLE GUIDE ๐งฌ๐ฆ
Your thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck โ but it has a huge impact on your energy โก, weight โ๏ธ, mood ๐, hormones ๐, and overall health.
If youโve ever looked at your thyroid blood test results and felt confused, youโre not alone. Letโs break down the most common thyroid labs and what they mean:
1. TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) ๐ง
What it does: TSH is made by your brain and tells your thyroid to produce hormones.
Normal range: Around 0.4โ4.0 mIU/L (some feel best between 0.5โ2.5)
๐บ High TSH = Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
๐ป Low TSH = Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
2. Free T4 (Thyroxine) ๐ฑ
What it does: The main hormone your thyroid makes. โFreeโ means your body can use it.
๐ป Low Free T4 + High TSH = Hypothyroidism
๐บ High Free T4 + Low TSH = Hyperthyroidism
3. Free T3 (Triiodothyronine) ๐ฅ
What it does: The active form of thyroid hormone that powers your metabolism, energy, and mood.
๐ป Low Free T3 = Poor conversion from T4 โ T3 (can happen with stress or inflammation)
4. Reverse T3 (rT3) ๐
What it does: A โbrakeโ hormone that blocks the effects of active T3.
๐บ High Reverse T3 = Your body may be in survival mode (stress, trauma, illness)
5. Anti-TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies) ๐งช
What it does: A key marker for thyroid autoimmunity.
โ ๏ธ High Anti-TPO = Common in Hashimotoโs or Gravesโ disease
6. Anti-TG (Thyroglobulin Antibodies) ๐ก๏ธ
What it does: Another autoimmune marker.
โ ๏ธ High Anti-TG = Immune system reacting to your thyroid
7. Total T3 / Total T4
These measure all thyroid hormone (free + bound). Less specific than free T3/T4 but still helpful in some cases.
BONUS: Other helpful labs to check with your thyroid ๐งพ
โ๏ธ Vitamin D โ supports immunity & thyroid function
๐ฉธ Iron / Ferritin โ needed to activate thyroid hormone
๐ B12 and Folate โ for energy, mood & nervous system
๐ฎโ๐จ Cortisol โ high stress can impact your thyroid
STILL FEELING BAD BUT LABS ARE โNORMALโ? ๐
Many people have โnormalโ results but still experience:
โข Fatigue ๐ด
โข Weight gain โ๏ธ
โข Hair loss ๐โโ๏ธ
โข Brain fog ๐ซ๏ธ
โข Cold hands/feet โ๏ธ
This might mean your levels are โin rangeโ but not optimal for you.
THYROID LAB SUMMARY TABLE ๐
Test โ What It Tells You โ High โ Low
TSH โ Brainโs signal to thyroid โ Hypothyroid ๐ค โ Hyperthyroid โก
Free T4 โ Main hormone produced โ Hyperthyroid โก โ Hypothyroid ๐ค
Free T3 โ Active hormone for energy โ Hyperactive ๐ฅ โ Low conversion ๐ง
Reverse T3 โ Brake hormone (stress-related) โ Blocked energy ๐ โ โ
Anti-TPO / Anti-TG โ Autoimmunity markers โ Hashimotoโs / Gravesโ โ๏ธ โ โ
FINAL THOUGHTS ๐ธ
Your thyroid is sensitive to:
โข Stress ๐ฎโ๐จ
โข Gut health ๐ฆ
โข Nutrients ๐ฅฆ
โข Inflammation ๐ฅ
๐ Donโt rely on TSH alone. Always look at the full thyroid panel and how you feel.
๐ Work with someone who listens to your symptoms, not just your labs.
ยฉ๏ธ