+ 8 THYROID – (Lab Ranges vs Optimal Ranges)
Below is a comparison of Lab vs Optimal Ranges used to determine the True Range for a healthy functioning Thyroid. Problems with Thyroid Lab Ranges are that the ranges are based on the average population getting tested, not healthy individuals and the reference ranges are too broad, especially those used in America.
Thyroid hormone is known to affect sex hormone-binding hormonal globulin (SHBG) concentrations, serum levels of free and bound testosterone. Men with elevated thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism) have elevated concentrations of testosterone and SHBG. Low levels of thyroid hormone are associated with hypogonadism and low free testosterone.
Androgenic-anabolic steroids decrease serum concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor thyroid function pre and post-cycle.
Synthetic T4 hormone (levothyroxine) in general is favored over the T3 hormone drug Cytomel (liothyronine) as T3 use can stunt the conversion of T4 to FT3. This of course is dependent upon the the patients ability to convert the hormone optimally. Those with conversion problems may need to supplement with Cytomel or Synthroid.
TSH
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone tests pituitary function. TSH should be as low as possible so long as it is NOT in the presence of Thyroid Antibodies or an abnormal TSI.
Lab range: .45-5.5 mlU/L
Optimal range: 1.8-2.5 mlU/L
True Range: TSH 1-2 mlU/L or lower. Others recommend 0.5-1.5mlU/L
Total T4
T4 is metabolically inactive and has to be converted to T3 to be usable. This lab determines the total of unbound and bound forms of T4. Endocrinologists generally do not test Total T4, only Free T4.
Lab range: 4.5-12 mcg/DL
Optimal range: 6.0-12.0 mcg/DL
T3 Uptake
The T3 uptake test estimates the amount of TBG in the blood. This test does not measure thyroid function, only thyroid-binding protein saturation. It is useful when comparing levels of other hormones such as estrogen or testosterone and their relation with the binding of thyroid hormones.
Lab range: 22-35%
Optimal range: 28-38%
Total T3
Total amount of the metabolically active thyroid hormone. Total T3 includes measurement of bound T3. Bound T3 is not active like free T3 but total T3 gives you a more stable long-term marker of T3 in circulation. High levels of this hormone are associated with muscle wasting, while low levels increase body fat.
Lab range: 80-200 ng/DL
Optimal range: 100-159 ng/DL
True Range: 100-115ng/DL
Free T4
Free thyroxine comprises a small fraction of total thyroxine. The free T4 (FT4) is available to the tissues and is, therefore, the metabolically active fraction. Elevations in FT4 cause hyperthyroidism, while decreases cause hypothyroidism.
Lab range: 0.8-1.8 ng/DL
Optimal range: 1.0-1.5 ng/DL
True Range: 1.1 - 1.3 ng/DL
Free T3
Free T3 measures the free and active thyroid hormone. T3 is more biologically active than T4. Low level of this hormone is linked to a higher risk of heart attack and can be linked to poor conversion of T4 to FT3.
Lab range: 2.3-4.2 pg/mL
Optimal range: 3.0-4.0 pg/mL
True Range: > 3.2 PG/ML
Reverse T3
Chronic stress and high cortisol can raise levels of reverse T3, which is an unusable form of the thyroid hormone. High RT3 means your body is converting too much T4 to RT3 and not enough to FT3 and can cause hypothyroid symptoms even if your TSH and T4 levels are optimal.
Reference range: 8-25 ng/DL
Optimal range: 9.2-24.1 ng/DL
True Range: less than a 10:1 ratio RT3:FT3
TBG
Thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) is the high-affinity serum binding protein for thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Elevated TBG levels are associated increased Estradiol. TBG levels can decrease with anabolic steroids.
Reference range: 1.1-2.1mg/dL
Thyroid Antibodies
High levels of thyroid antibodies show an autoimmune attack against the thyroid.
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Ab optimal range: 0-15 IU/mL
Thyroglobulin Ab optimal range: 0-0.9 IU/mL
True Range: Negative or 0
TSI.
Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin serum is useful in the diagnosis of unusual cases of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. This can also be used to determine the size of your thyroid gland.
Optimal Range: Less than or equal to 1.3 (0-130%)
Most Physicians will not order a full thyroid panel even if you request it. They only test TSH and then go from there. This is a half-assed approach to the most important hormone as TSH levels can be normal even in the presence of autoimmune antibodies.
To request a full panel, tell your Physician someone in your family has been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder like Hashimotos.
AT minimun: TSH, FT4, T3, Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Ab, Thyroglobulin(TG) Ab should be ordered. From there you can address any thyroid imbalances with the other tests.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1568351
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3661817
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/401485
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5590144/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/interpret-your-thyroid-test-results-3231840
https://www.amymyersmd.com/2016/10/thyroid-lab-results-really-mean/
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If it ain't broke don't fix it.......or don't break it then end up on meds for the rest of your life trying to fix it
As far as AAS goes I prefer T3 to get straight to the target without conversion. I know many people who have hypothyroidism and Docs prescribe T4, but there is an argument for T3. Some patients seems to prefer the T3. To each is own.
Good post+
I preserve more muscle using t4 for some reason. T3 give me a stringy look.
RustyhookerPandoras box. Each lil hormones interaction and its effects upon the rest.
Steroids,......... measured in mg (milligrams).
Thyroid,.......... measured in mmg (micrograms).
+1
it took me a while to grasp this concept but once I understood how one hormone impacts the others like testosterone and estrogen, dopamine and prolactin, growth hormone and insulin, DHT and estrogen...everything started to fall into place and it all comes back to diet a lot of the time too, hormones are really fascinating, I love researching about the body and food and supplements and drugs, its all connected and understanding it all has made my life better, I wish I knew a lot of these things when I was younger, I would have eaten and trained differently and made better choices maybe I wouldn't have had as low of testosterone and needed TRT... ive read substance abuse in your 20s can impair your testosterone production unfortunately ... sorry for the rant lol but yeah pandoras box indeed, I had a similar conversation with my doctor the other day about how everything we put in our body has some effect on every other system so choose foods wisely as they can even affect mental health, hormones, ect. lol
RustyhookerYoure reply was excellent actually. Its good to hear folks chime in with life experience, changes, etc. Foods and mood do have the keys to everything we do or want to do. The studies of children with protein deficiencies and brain disorders to elderly folks trying to maintain muscle and functions to everywhere in between.
It does seem like it should be as easy as good foods, gym being kickass and hormones is all ya need. But as the body strives for equilibrium, all the foundations can change. So so interesting!
Oi oi oi like always speaking truth
RustyhookerOi brother! And merry christmas to ya