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Thyroid Care
📊 Interactive Infographic

Understanding Your Thyroid

A visual guide to thyroid hormones, lab values, and when to seek treatment

🦋 Your Thyroid Gland

Left Lobe Right Lobe Isthmus Located in your neck, just below the Adam's apple

Key Facts About Your Thyroid

  • Butterfly-shaped gland in your neck
  • Produces hormones that regulate metabolism
  • Controls energy, temperature, weight, mood, and more
  • When out of balance, affects nearly every body system

🔬 The Three Key Thyroid Hormones

TSH

TSH

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

Made by: Pituitary gland (brain)
Function: Signals your thyroid to produce T4 and T3
Key Point: High TSH = Low thyroid function
Low TSH = High thyroid function
T4

T4 (Thyroxine)

The Storage Hormone

Made by: Thyroid gland
Function: Inactive form that converts to active T3
Key Point: Most abundant thyroid hormone (80%)
Must convert to T3 to be used
T3

T3 (Triiodothyronine)

The Active Hormone

Made by: Thyroid gland + conversion from T4
Function: The active form that powers your cells
Key Point: 3-4x more potent than T4
This is what actually works in your body
Brain
Pituitary
Releases TSH
→
Thyroid
Makes T4 & T3
→
Body Cells
Use T3 for energy

📋 Understanding Your Lab Results

Standard Lab Reference Ranges

Test Lab "Normal" Range Optimal Range What It Means
TSH 0.4 - 4.5 mIU/L 1.0 - 2.0 mIU/L Lower is better for most people
Free T4 0.8 - 1.8 ng/dL 1.0 - 1.5 ng/dL Middle to upper range ideal
Free T3 2.3 - 4.2 pg/mL 3.0 - 4.0 pg/mL Upper third of range is best
TPO Antibodies < 35 IU/mL < 10 IU/mL Lower = less autoimmune activity
Reverse T3 9.2 - 24.1 ng/dL < 15 ng/dL Lower is better

How to Read Your Results

  • TSH above 2.5: May indicate early hypothyroidism, especially with symptoms
  • TSH below 0.4: May indicate hyperthyroidism or overmedication
  • Low T4 or T3 with high TSH: Classic hypothyroidism
  • High T4 or T3 with low TSH: Classic hyperthyroidism
  • Normal TSH but low T3: Possible conversion problem
  • Positive antibodies: Autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's or Graves')

⚠️ Recognizing Thyroid Problems

Hypothyroidism (Low)

  • Fatigue and low energy
  • Weight gain
  • Feeling cold
  • Dry skin and hair
  • Constipation
  • Brain fog
  • Depression
  • Heavy periods
  • Joint/muscle pain

Hyperthyroidism (High)

  • Anxiety and nervousness
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Weight loss
  • Feeling hot/sweating
  • Trembling hands
  • Insomnia
  • Diarrhea
  • Light/missed periods
  • Irritability

🏥 When to Seek Treatment

1

You Experience Symptoms

Notice persistent symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, temperature sensitivity, or mood changes

2

Get Comprehensive Testing

Request full thyroid panel: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, TPO antibodies, and Reverse T3

3

Interpret Results Properly

Don't accept "normal" if you have symptoms. Look for optimal ranges, not just lab ranges

4

Find the Right Provider

Work with a doctor who treats symptoms + labs, not just labs alone

5

Start Treatment & Monitor

Begin appropriate treatment, retest in 6-8 weeks, adjust as needed until symptoms resolve

⚠️ Red Flags - Seek Immediate Care If You Experience:

  • Severe rapid heartbeat or chest pain
  • Severe anxiety or panic attacks
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Sudden, severe fatigue or confusion
  • Rapid, unexplained weight loss (over 10% body weight)

💊 Treatment Options Overview

T4

Levothyroxine

Synthetic T4 Hormone

Most Common Medication
Works well for most people
Requires 6-8 weeks to see full effect
Regular monitoring needed
T3

Liothyronine

Synthetic T3 Hormone

Active Thyroid Hormone
Sometimes added to T4
Fast-acting
Helpful for conversion issues
NDT

Natural Desiccated

From Animal Thyroid

Contains T4, T3, T2, T1
Preferred by some patients
More natural hormone ratios
Requires careful monitoring

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