How much do thyroid levels fluctuate day to day?
Thyroid hormone tests are conducted regularly in patients with thyroid disease in order to determine that proper treatment is being used. There are different factors that can influence thyroid hormone production which can affect test results. However, patients should keep in mind that hormone levels can slightly fluctuate day to day.TypesThe thyroid produces two types of hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Your pituitary gland, located in the brain, produces thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) which tell the thyroid how much T4 and T3 to produce.TestsBlood tests are used to evaluate TSH, T4, and T3. Patients with hypothyroidism have a high TSH level and low T4 and T3 levels. Hyperthyroid patients have a low TSH level and high T4 and T3 levels.MeasurementsAccording to Dr. Rind, a normal range for TSH is between 1.3 and 1.8, but can dip as low as 0.5 and as high as 5.0. Normal T4 levels fall between 1.2 and 1.3 while normal T3 levels are between 3.2 and 3.3. The highest le
