#39 How to Calculate Optimal Reference Ranges for Free T3 and Free T4
There is a big difference between optimal thyroid lab tests and normal lab tests. The reference range for your lab tests includes both healthy and unhealthy people that you are compared to. By creating a tighter reference range for your lab tests you can ensure that you are being compared to only healthy people.
In this video, I go over 2 examples of how to calculate this reference range for both Free T3 and free T4 and show you exactly how to do it.
Free T3 example:
You generally want your free T3 in the top 30% of the reference range in order to be optimal:
Reference range = 1.7 to 3.7
Step #1.
Find the spread between the range by subtracting the top end of the range from the bottom end.
In this case, it’s 3.7 and 1.7. So, 3.7 minus 1.7 equals 2.0.
This number represents the total range between the top and bottom end of the reference range. This range is often very large and so it’s important to find out where you fall within it.
Step #2.
Multiply the spread by the percentage value that you are looking to obtain. So if you want to find the top 30% of the reference range you would multiply 2.0 by 0.7 (which is 70% of that total value).
In this case you will get a value of 1.4.
Step #3.
Add 1.4 to the low end of the range.
In this case that will be 1.7 + 1.4 which equals 3.1.
You know have your new “tighter” range which is 3.1 to 3.7.
Step #4.
Compare your results to this new reference range that you’ve now created.
Free T4 Example:
You want your free T4 in the top 50% of the reference range in order to be ‘optimal’.
Reference range - 0.89 to 1.76 ng/dL.
Step #1.
Find the spread:
1.76 minus 0.89 = 0.87
Step #2.
Multiply the spread by 0.5 (50%).
0.87 x 0.5 = 0.435.
Step #3.
Add 0.435 to the low end of the reference range.
0.89 + 0.435 = 1.325.
Step #4.
New optimal range = 1.3 - 1.76.
Now compare your result to this range.
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- For thyroid hormone production and conversion: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-adrenal-reset-complex/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/t3-conversion-booster/
- For hair loss: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-hair-regrowth-complex/
- For weight management: https://www.restartmed.com/product/gut-bomb-350-billion/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/functional-fuel-complete/
- For gut health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/ultra-biotic-x100/
- For energy and adrenal health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-adrenal-reset-complex/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/power-b-complex/
I'm Dr. Westin Childs and I focus on thyroid health, hormone balance, and weight loss. I write about thyroid disorders, weight loss, insulin resistance, estrogen/progesterone balance on my blog. I truly believe that hormone balance is the key to managing your weight, your mood and your quality of life which is why I'm so passionate about it.
If you enjoyed this video please subscribe on youtube or leave a comment on my podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-westin-childs-podcast-thyroid-weight-loss-hormones/id1141207688?mt=2
This video is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have questions about your health please consult your physician or primary care provider. Dr. Westin Childs goes to great lengths to produce high-quality content but this is NOT a substitute for medical care.
In this video, I go over 2 examples of how to calculate this reference range for both Free T3 and free T4 and show you exactly how to do it.
Free T3 example:
You generally want your free T3 in the top 30% of the reference range in order to be optimal:
Reference range = 1.7 to 3.7
Step #1.
Find the spread between the range by subtracting the top end of the range from the bottom end.
In this case, it’s 3.7 and 1.7. So, 3.7 minus 1.7 equals 2.0.
This number represents the total range between the top and bottom end of the reference range. This range is often very large and so it’s important to find out where you fall within it.
Step #2.
Multiply the spread by the percentage value that you are looking to obtain. So if you want to find the top 30% of the reference range you would multiply 2.0 by 0.7 (which is 70% of that total value).
In this case you will get a value of 1.4.
Step #3.
Add 1.4 to the low end of the range.
In this case that will be 1.7 + 1.4 which equals 3.1.
You know have your new “tighter” range which is 3.1 to 3.7.
Step #4.
Compare your results to this new reference range that you’ve now created.
Free T4 Example:
You want your free T4 in the top 50% of the reference range in order to be ‘optimal’.
Reference range - 0.89 to 1.76 ng/dL.
Step #1.
Find the spread:
1.76 minus 0.89 = 0.87
Step #2.
Multiply the spread by 0.5 (50%).
0.87 x 0.5 = 0.435.
Step #3.
Add 0.435 to the low end of the reference range.
0.89 + 0.435 = 1.325.
Step #4.
New optimal range = 1.3 - 1.76.
Now compare your result to this range.
Recommended thyroid supplements to enhance thyroid function:
- For thyroid hormone production and conversion: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-adrenal-reset-complex/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/t3-conversion-booster/
- For hair loss: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-hair-regrowth-complex/
- For weight management: https://www.restartmed.com/product/gut-bomb-350-billion/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/functional-fuel-complete/
- For gut health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/ultra-biotic-x100/
- For energy and adrenal health: https://www.restartmed.com/product/thyroid-adrenal-reset-complex/ + https://www.restartmed.com/product/power-b-complex/
I'm Dr. Westin Childs and I focus on thyroid health, hormone balance, and weight loss. I write about thyroid disorders, weight loss, insulin resistance, estrogen/progesterone balance on my blog. I truly believe that hormone balance is the key to managing your weight, your mood and your quality of life which is why I'm so passionate about it.
If you enjoyed this video please subscribe on youtube or leave a comment on my podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dr-westin-childs-podcast-thyroid-weight-loss-hormones/id1141207688?mt=2
This video is not intended to be used as medical advice. If you have questions about your health please consult your physician or primary care provider. Dr. Westin Childs goes to great lengths to produce high-quality content but this is NOT a substitute for medical care.
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