How to Interpret a Thyroid Test

Understanding TSH: TSH measures the effect that the pituitary gland has on the hormone. If your test has a higher number, your thyroid is functioning lower. This means that you have a hypothyroid. If your test has a lower number, your thyroid is functioning higher. This means that you have a hyperthyroid. If your number is between 0.3 and 3.0, your thyroid is functioning properly.
 

The meaning: If you have a hypothyroid, your doctor will prescribe a replacement hormone for you. It will take some time and several adjustments to get the dosage to the amount that works for you. When the doctor gets the correct dosage, you should see and feel the results in a couple of weeks. If you have a hyperthyroid, you are going to work with your doctor to determine the best treatment option. There are many different types of treatments, including surgically removing the thyroid. If the thyroid test that you have taken shows a normal number and you are still having symptoms similar to the symptoms that come with either hyper- or hypothyroid disease, your doctor may try additional tests; these may include a T3 and T4 test or an antibodies test.