Guest guest Posted December 3, 2002 Report Share Posted December 3, 2002 Hi Aldyth, Most European labs do use different units of measurement for lab tests, but some years back there was a worldwide effort to start standardizing tests, with everyone using the same units. This effort hasn't gotten too far, but the TSH is one of the tests pretty much standardized with everyone using miu/L (same as Mu/L). So the reference ranges are similar throughout the world for TSH except for slight variations due to specific testing methods, like immunoassay vs fluorescent methods. The AACC made the recommendation to lower the range, and they have been asking the Institute of Medicine to study the need for this for some time now. When we first started running TSH levels, we used a reference range that went up to 10.0. It took a decade or so to figure out that this needed to be lowered. It probably will take the certifying officials here another year before they make the change. But you can copy pg 50 of the link for recommended laboratory testing guidelines at www.nacb.org/ and show that to your doctor. Somewhere in the report it also mentions 0.5-1.0 being the optimal range for people being treated for thyroid disorders. Take care, Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2002 Report Share Posted December 3, 2002 Hi Aldyth, Most European labs do use different units of measurement for lab tests, but some years back there was a worldwide effort to start standardizing tests, with everyone using the same units. This effort hasn't gotten too far, but the TSH is one of the tests pretty much standardized with everyone using miu/L (same as Mu/L). So the reference ranges are similar throughout the world for TSH except for slight variations due to specific testing methods, like immunoassay vs fluorescent methods. The AACC made the recommendation to lower the range, and they have been asking the Institute of Medicine to study the need for this for some time now. When we first started running TSH levels, we used a reference range that went up to 10.0. It took a decade or so to figure out that this needed to be lowered. It probably will take the certifying officials here another year before they make the change. But you can copy pg 50 of the link for recommended laboratory testing guidelines at www.nacb.org/ and show that to your doctor. Somewhere in the report it also mentions 0.5-1.0 being the optimal range for people being treated for thyroid disorders. Take care, Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2002 Report Share Posted December 3, 2002 Hi Aldyth, Most European labs do use different units of measurement for lab tests, but some years back there was a worldwide effort to start standardizing tests, with everyone using the same units. This effort hasn't gotten too far, but the TSH is one of the tests pretty much standardized with everyone using miu/L (same as Mu/L). So the reference ranges are similar throughout the world for TSH except for slight variations due to specific testing methods, like immunoassay vs fluorescent methods. The AACC made the recommendation to lower the range, and they have been asking the Institute of Medicine to study the need for this for some time now. When we first started running TSH levels, we used a reference range that went up to 10.0. It took a decade or so to figure out that this needed to be lowered. It probably will take the certifying officials here another year before they make the change. But you can copy pg 50 of the link for recommended laboratory testing guidelines at www.nacb.org/ and show that to your doctor. Somewhere in the report it also mentions 0.5-1.0 being the optimal range for people being treated for thyroid disorders. Take care, Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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