If you’ve ever asked for “the full thyroid panel” and been told “we already checked your thyroid — it’s just TSH you need,” this article is your friendly, evidence-based ammunition.
TSH — the thermostat (what you already get)
TSH is the signal from your brain telling your thyroid to work. It’s an indirect measure — it tells you how hard your brain is shouting, not how much active hormone is reaching your cells, and not whether your immune system is attacking the gland.
Free T4 — the storage hormone
Free T4 measures the available storage hormone (the same form your medication provides). A “normal” Free T4 doesn’t guarantee you’re turning enough of it into the active hormone.
Free T3 — the active hormone
Free T3 is the active hormone your cells actually run on. A person can have a normal TSH and normal T4 but a low or low-normal Free T3 — which can line up perfectly with feeling exhausted, foggy, and cold.
TPO and Thyroglobulin antibodies — the attack itself
TPO antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) detect the autoimmune attack. These antibodies can be elevated for years while TSH still reads normal. It’s also the marker that clinically-dosed selenium has been shown to lower (Gärtner et al., 2002).
Reverse T3 — the “wrong key”
Under stress or illness, your body can convert T4 into reverse T3 (rT3) — an inactive, mirror-image molecule that occupies the space without doing the work.
Those two blind spots — the conversion (Free T3) and the attack (antibodies) — are exactly the gap Thyrolume was created to support, with its clinically-dosed selenium and myo-inositol.
Frequently asked questions
What thyroid tests should I ask for besides TSH? If you’re still symptomatic, the most informative additions are Free T4, Free T3, and thyroid antibodies (TPO and thyroglobulin). Reverse T3 is sometimes used in specific situations (ATA).
Why does my doctor only test TSH? TSH is the standard, sensitive first-line screen and is often sufficient for routine monitoring. Additional tests are typically added when there’s a specific clinical reason — which persistent symptoms can be (British Thyroid Foundation).
Can I have normal TSH but still have a thyroid problem? Yes — a normal TSH doesn’t confirm adequate T4→T3 conversion or rule out autoimmune activity. Free T3 and antibody testing can reveal what TSH alone misses.
Are home/private thyroid tests reliable? Reputable direct-to-consumer labs can provide useful data, but interpret results with a clinician. Testing is for information and conversation — not self-diagnosis or self-medication.
