yes, each lab has different ranges. I think what they do is get a whole bunch of people in a region, check their levels and go by what is normal for them as a whole. The problem with this is some in the group have thyroid disease and don't know it so the results can be a little off. For the most part though it's about right. Mine are FT4-(.80-1.80) tsh-(.30-5.5) really outdated on the tsh!

my ranges are FT4 7.5-21.5 Tsh 0.5-4.5 and ft3 is 3.5-6.5. My FT4 range is the highest I have seen. Always makes me wonder why there isnt a standard everywhere.

FT4 11.5 - 23.2
TSH like malbers', but I think doctors know it should be 0.3 - 3

Canada is way different. Where do you come from Malbers?

Brans I am also Canadian but from Alberta, I know Kathy is from BC but not sure where nono is from. Maybe every province has its own ranges???

For me the ranges are: FT4 0.61-1.76, FT3 2.3-4.2 and TSH 0.450-4.500.

Take care... :-)

My ranges are TSH 0.35 - 3.0 FT4 10.5 -20.0 FT3 3.5 - 6.5

I just wanted to add...I did lots of research into this. Although having a universal range would be easier for us its not really logical. I thought it was designed to keep us patients guessing so the medical community would have the upper hand and keep us rebels under control but I dont think this way anymore.

They take a thousand people from every region and country and test there thyroid levels. They take a mean average of those people and come up with ranges for that region and country. The reason they do this is because the dietary habits of each region and country is different and that has a direct influence on blood level requirements. For instance...people who live on the coastal regions have access to more salt water fish. Its close and affordable so that's what is consumed. In the inner regions they rely more on beef, pork or wild meat and vegetation...so there will be differences there. Also, environment has a place. Hotter regions vs colder regions. Even how your food is prepared has its effects. This varies from country to country and region to region. So, from what I understand...this is one of the reasons why there is different ranges. There is probably more to it...but this answer satisfied my curiosity.

yes, it's true Kathy and that's how it's determined.Canada is way different though, from ours, it seems. Must be a lot of hypers in Canada that skew the ranges!LOL! Where mmztcass comes from there must be hypos included in the range because hers for FT4 go way low. It's very weird. I guess you just have to go by your own range. Of course Elaine has a comment on the ranges too and gives her opinion on what is "normal". I forget what they are though.

I use LabCorp for my labs now. Previously I used to go to Sonora Quest. Sorry, I can't remember what ranges the FT4 was then because I've used LabCorp for three or four years now. The FT4 was the only one that was different and the FT3 and the TSH ranges were the same for both labs.

Go figure! :-)

Mine are USA
TSH 2.579 .450-4.50
FT4 1.19 .61-1.76
T3 126 85-205
Pat

I'm in Nova Scotia.

Our population must be eating a lot of salt water fish and shellfish - the ranges are even higher than in BC.

Yes, kids coming to school with a lobster sandwich feel poor... (they don't have enough access to meat). (Just kidding, but it's the way it was 40 years ago).

LOL NONONO..... Lobster sandwich sounds sooooooooooooo good. Its colder then Ice here in Iowa. Dont get seafish unless its imported from somewhere far away!
Thanks for all the responses on this issue I am so confused about. It does look like we are all for the most part close on the scale.
Dairy your example made it very clear and informative. Thanks
I think this was a very good thing to get cleared up!
Kelly

Brans...you brought up a good thought. I think I will post this question to Elaine to see what her thoughts on it is. Im sure there's more to it than dietary and climate differences.

At my labs

TSH (mU/L) 0.40-4.00
My levels as at 19/01/09