When you hear the statistic that 60% of people with a thyroid go undiagnosed, (or misdiagnosed) you may be surprised.  I know it sounds crazy right?!  But as a Thyroid Specialist who has been working with women for nearly a decade (and struggling myself for 20 years) this statistic comes as no surprise to me.

So, how is this possible?

Most Doctors will only test TSH.  TSH is not a full thyroid panel and that will not give you all of the information you need for a true diagnosis of hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s Disease.

A full thyroid panel will give us much more information, so that we can start to uncover the root cause.

A full thyroid panel consists of:

TSH: TSH is often the first thyroid marker tested. It is produced by the pituitary gland and helps regulate the thyroid's hormone production. Elevated TSH levels may indicate an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), while low levels could suggest an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

Free T3 & Free T4: Measuring free T3 and free T4 levels provides essential information about the thyroid hormones available for use by the body's cells. These "free" forms of T3 and T4 are not bound to proteins and are more biologically active. Low FT3 and FT4 levels can indicate thyroid dysfunction even when TSH levels appear normal. (Hence why TSH alone is not enough.)

Reverse T3: Reverse T3 is an inactive form of T3. Elevated levels of rT3 may be a sign of a thyroid problem or other underlying health issues, such as chronic illness or stress on the body.

TPO antibodies & TgAb antibodies: Thyroid antibodies, such as anti-TPO (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and anti-Tg (thyroglobulin antibodies), are markers for autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease. Detecting these antibodies can help diagnose autoimmune related thyroid conditions.

When investigating  thyroid health, a full thyroid panel is invaluable. It provides a comprehensive overview of thyroid function, aiding in accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans.