RE: TSH/Was:Re: Re: Cortef - one more question

[Guest guest]

This site, with cited sources, might get you started: http://www.altsupportthyroid.org/tsh/tshmedrefs6.php cindiAbbe <abbe_online@...> wrote: > I have not been able to find anything on TSH exceptwhat range it should be, etc., along with a number ofpeople indicating as you do here the seriousness ofit.I have done searches looking for papers focussing onTSH, not necessarily as it relates *only* tohypothyroidism, but in general. Of course, therelated material is of interest but I would like tounderstand from a systemic perspective. I want toknow more than just it should be in this or thatrange.If you can elaborate, provide any sources, or both

itwill be appreciated.Abbe__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

also this: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/326/7384/295?ijkey=p473Wo5CiBWVE cindiCindi <cindi22595@...> wrote: This site, with cited sources, might get you started: http://www.altsupportthyroid.org/tsh/tshmedrefs6.php

Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Small Business.

[Guest guest]

>From: Abbe <abbe_online@...>

>I have not been able to find anything on TSH except

>what range it should be, etc., along with a number of

>people indicating as you do here the seriousness of

>it.

>

Is this helpful>

From a large American study, median TSH (half of the population above and

half below was 1.39) -

http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/87/2/489

" The TSH median and 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles were calculated for the total

population, the disease-free population, and the reference population (Table

4Go). Estimated from the reference population, the median TSH concentration

was 1.39 (1.35–1.47) mIU/liter with the 95% TSH reference limits between

0.45 (0.42–0. 47) mIU/liter and 4.12 (3.94–4.45) mIU/liter. The median TSH

concentration increased with age after age 20 yr in all populations, even in

the reference population where thyroid antibodies and other risk factors

were excluded.

*********************

Large TSH study in Norway. Used to be fully available, but now to see the

normal curve, which is quite interesting you have to be a member of thyroid

Austrailia. Part but not all (I have it saved on my hard drive,

unfortunately it didn's save the picture of the normal curve) of this is

seen at -

http://www.thyroid.org.au/Information/NormalTSH.html

The features of this result are:

* The distribution of TSH readings in the healthy population is skew. It

is not the common bell shaped curve centred in the middle of the reference

range.

* The most common value, or Mode, is at 1.25.

* The Median value is at 1.50. This means that half the population (50%)

have a TSH reading below 1.50.

* The average, or Mean, value is at 1.68. Over 60% of the population

have a TSH reading below this value.

* The centre of the Reference Range for the test kit used in the study

is 2.35. Almost 85% of the healthy population have a TSH reading below this

value.

* The 2.5 percentile point (ie the point which excludes the bottom 2.5%

of the population) is at 0.48. The 97.5 percentile point (ie the point which

excludes the top 2.5% of the population) is at 3.6. The range between the

2.5 and 97.5 percentile points (0.48 to 3.6) is much narrower than the test

kit’s Reference Range (0.2 TO 4.5).

* This narrowing of the range would suggest that the reference group

used to calibrate the test kit possibly included people with some level of

thyroid illness.

* This narrowing of the range between the 2.5 and 97.5 percentile points

would potentially have been even more pronounced if all samples had been

tested for Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies.

The conclusions which can be drawn from this survey are:

* TSH results in the upper half of the Reference Range have a low

probability of being ‘normal’. This does not mean that they are not

‘normal’. It means that they are unlikely to be ‘normal’.

* The Reference Ranges for TSH tests are potentially too wide,

especially at the upper end. This suggests that ‘high normal’ TSH readings

should possibly be treated with more suspicion than they currently appear to

be.

* The centre of the Reference Range is clearly not a good target point

because very few of the healthy population have TSH readings around this

point.

* A much better target point would be around 1.0 to 1.5. But some people

will feel better at higher levels or lower levels. This supports Prof Jim

Stockigt’s view that the target should be a TSH reading around 1.0.2

Another important point which needs to be borne in mind when interpreting

statistics like these is that it is the population which has a range of

values with probabilities for each reading. Each healthy individual is only

at one of the points. They are ‘normal’ when they are at that point. For

those on thyroxine replacement, being in the Reference Range is not good

enough in itself. You need to be at your own set point. This will probably

be near the lower end of the Reference Range.

This analysis of the distribution of TSH readings in the healthy population

supports our recommendations to thyroid patients:

* Obtain a photocopy of all your Thyroid Function Tests. Also get copies

of the ones you have had done in the past. These copies will show both the

readings and the Reference Ranges.

* When you are going for a new test, make a note of how you feel

(especially make a note of any of the major symptoms of thyroid overactivity

or underactivity), your weight and your dose. When you obtain your copy of

the test result, write this information on the copy. Over time, this process

will allow you to make an informed judgement in consultation with your

doctor of what the correct set point is for you.

* Do not accept that a Thyroid Function Test is 'normal' just because

the result is within the Reference Range if you are still feeling unwell.

***********************************

Did you notice 85% of the healthy population have a TSH reading below 2.35.

This is likely to meant that we aren't supposed to have a high TSH at all.

That very little TSH will allow the thyroid to perform its function, and

when it's much higher than that, it means hypothyrodiism.

Skipper

"

_________________________________________________________________

Windows Live Spaces is here! It’s easy to create your own personal Web site.

http://spaces.live.com/signup.aspx