Boston: Normal Thyroid Levels - Understanding Optimal TSH Level

Boston,

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped endocrine gland, it is found in the lower part of the neck just below the Adam apple. One of the main functions of the thyroid gland is the production of certain hormones call triiodothyroine or T3, and thyroxine or T4. These hormones perfume a number of important functions in the blood.They are responsible for our metabolism, they deliver energy to our cells and control how the body makes protein amongst others.

In a normally healthy person, the thyroid makes the proper amounts of T4 and T3; about 80% will be T4 and the other 20% will be T3. Biologically, T3 is considered to be the more active hormone. It is estimated that over 26 million Americans have thyroid disease and, unfortunately, more than half of this number are undiagnosed. Understanding more about thyroid can help you protect or retain good health.

Thyroid disease is more common with women than men, as a matter of fact, it is likely to affect women 8 time more than men. Especially for women over 50 with family history of thyroid disease, it however, affects women in much lower age brackets. Chances are, a woman risk of having thyroid problem is about 1 in 5 chances in her lifetime.

The actual normal level of TSH ( Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is somehow shrouded in controversy. TSH is actually not a thyroid hormone, it is a pituitary hormone that stimulates the thyroid hormone. A reference range is usually obtained by sampling a large group of people and measuring their thyroid stimulating hormone levels. A high level of TSH shows that the body is not receiving enough hormones. This result in a condition known as hypothyroidism. On the other hand, if the level is too low, the result is hyperthyroidism.

The reference range for thyroid stimulating hormone is a critical component, and the validity of the entire test depends on it. Nowadays, the normal reference range for the (TSH) blood test runs from approximately .5 to 5.0. in many laboratories in the U.S. However, if you think you have hypothyroidism, and yet believe that you have a “normal” level, please go for more thyroid test.

Source by Austin Millo

Normal Thyroid Levels - Understanding Optimal TSH Level