Healthy Thyroid Levels

The thyroid hormone (TH) helps in obtaining energy from the ingested foods. It indirectly regulates protein synthesis, heart rate, body temperature, bone growth and metabolism.

Maintaining normal thyroid hormone levels is thus essential to stay energized and ensure normal functioning of the bodily metabolic processes. So, knowing the values of healthy thyroid levels is a must for all of us, which are elaborated in this story.

Iodine is the base ingredient for production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. It is absorbed from the ingested foods, and cannot be synthesized naturally. Two forms of thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid gland, viz. T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine).

Of these, T3 is the active form, and contains three atoms of iodine. On the other hand, T4 is the inactive type with four iodine atoms, which further gets converted to T3 in various parts of the body.

The level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is used as a reference for determining, whether a person has healthy thyroid levels or not. Laboratory blood test procedure is conducted to examine levels of TSH produced by the pituitary gland. It does the function of promoting thyroid gland to secrete thyroid hormones.

Ideally, TSH falling in the range 0.5-5.0 mIU/L (milli-international units per liter) is considered normal or healthy, and the individual is considered free of thyroid diseases. But, the newly updated normal TSH levels are considered as 0.3-3 mIU/L.

Lower TSH signifies that the gland is hyperactive and produces excess hormones. On the contrary, elevated level is a warning sign that the thyroid gland is not responding properly as it should, or the gland is underactive, resulting in low production of thyroid hormone. If required, the doctor will proceed for a series of other thyroid hormone tests.

The following info is all about thyroid hormone tests, and respective test readings that are considered normal or healthy for adults.

• Total Thyroxine or T4 Test: 5.4-11.5 mcg/dL (micrograms per deciliter)
• Free Thyroxine or FT4 Test: 10-26 pmol/L (picomoles per liter)
• Total Triiodothyronine or T3 Test: 1.2-3.1 nmol/L (nanomoles per deciliter)
• Free Triiodothyronine or FT3 Test: 4.0-7.4 pmol/L
• Free Thyroxine Index or FTI: 4.2-13.0

Many people are concerned about 'what are abnormal thyroid levels'. The confusion stems from the fact that there are two types of thyroid diseases, and each of these types are characterized by varied thyroid hormone levels. The first is called hypothyroidism and the second is hyperthyroidism.

As the terms indicate, the former condition is associated with an underactive functioning of the thyroid gland thereby secreting low TH, while the latter is a result of overactive thyroid gland, causing excess TH production.

In the blood test result, if the TSH level exceeds 5 mIU/L, then it signifies hypothyroidism. For hypothyroid patients, either the T3 level is lowered, or both T3 and T4 levels drop down.

Typical signs of hypothyroidism include mental changes, such as depression, lack of concentration, memory problems and stress. Other accompanying symptoms include increased weakness, low stamina, constipation, digestion problem, high cholesterol and infertility.

In such a condition, the TSH level is below 0.5 mIU/L. Over here, thyroid hormone levels (either T4 or both T3 and T4) are much more than the healthy thyroid levels. This is associated with a different set of symptoms, such as rapid heart rate, manic-depressive behavior, low activity tolerance and hand tremor amongst others. The treatment of abnormal thyroid levels is focused on restoring healthy thyroid levels by therapeutic intervention.

While hypothyroidism is treated by advocating oral pills containing synthetic thyroid hormones, hyperthyroidism treatment is proceeded with antithyroid medications or radioactive iodine ablation. The risk factors of thyroid hormone imbalance are associated with increased age, heredity and gender (females are most likely to suffer from thyroid diseases).

According to medical reports, 17% females and 9% males above 60 years of age are afflicted with thyroid diseases. But that doesn't mean that younger generations do not develop this medical condition.

The risk factors of thyroid hormone imbalance are associated with increased age, heredity and gender (females are most likely to suffer from thyroid diseases). According to medical reports, 17% females and 9% males above 60 years of age are afflicted with thyroid diseases. But that doesn't mean that younger generations do not develop this medical condition.

As expected, the long-term treatment for thyroid disorders is aimed at addressing the root causes, which are deficiency of iodine and autoimmune thyroid diseases. Depending upon the clinical presentation of a patient, individualistic treatment approaches are directed to maintain healthy thyroid levels.

They may involve giving iodine supplements, excising thyroid partially or fully, and hormone replacement therapy. Natural ways to ensure normal thyroid function are following a healthy diet and performing physical activities.