Loading...
Loading...
Full thyroid function beyond TSH — the test your doctor skips
A comprehensive thyroid panel measures TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, thyroid antibodies (TPO and TG), and thyroglobulin — providing a complete picture of thyroid production, conversion, autoimmunity, and cellular resistance.
The standard TSH-only test misses the vast majority of thyroid dysfunction. You can have normal TSH but terrible T4-to-T3 conversion, sky-high reverse T3 blocking thyroid receptors, or raging thyroid antibodies attacking your gland for years before TSH rises. Millions of people suffer with hypothyroid symptoms while being told they're 'fine' based on TSH alone.
TSH is a terrible screening test. Functional thyroid dysfunction shows up in free T3, reverse T3, and antibodies long before TSH budges. Gabriel sees hundreds of patients with 'normal TSH' who are freezing, exhausted, losing hair, and gaining weight — because their T4 isn't converting to T3, or reverse T3 is sky-high, or antibodies are silently destroying their thyroid. A comprehensive panel reveals the truth and guides targeted thyroid support: selenium and zinc for conversion, LDN for antibodies, T3 medication when needed.
A standard blood draw at a local lab, ideally done in the morning before 10 AM (TSH is highest in the morning). No fasting required, but avoid biotin supplements for 72 hours before the test (biotin interferes with thyroid assays). Results arrive in 3–5 business days. Upload to Gabriel for thyroid optimization protocols.
Conventional practitioners read these results through a disease-focused lens — looking for what's broken. Gabriel reads them through a holistic lens — looking for what's out of balance and how to restore it. We see optimal ranges, not just "normal" ranges. We connect findings across all your diagnostics to reveal patterns that siloed specialists miss.
TSH alone misses a lot. A comprehensive panel includes free T3, free T4, reverse T3, thyroid antibodies (TPO and TG), and TSH. You can have a normal TSH with low free T3 (poor conversion), elevated reverse T3 (stress response), or positive antibodies (Hashimoto's) that a TSH-only test would never catch.
Lab 'normal' ranges are based on population averages, including sick people. Functional ranges are tighter. For example, conventional TSH normal is 0.5-4.5, while functional optimal is 1.0-2.0. Free T3 optimal is 3.0-4.0 pg/mL vs the broad 2.3-4.2 range. Many people feel best in the functional range.
Elevated TPO or thyroglobulin antibodies indicate autoimmune thyroid disease (usually Hashimoto's). This means your immune system is attacking your thyroid. Antibodies can be elevated for years before TSH becomes abnormal, making early detection possible with comprehensive testing.
Usually yes, if your doctor orders it with appropriate diagnosis codes (fatigue, weight changes, thyroid symptoms). Some doctors resist ordering the full panel, preferring TSH only. If you encounter resistance, a functional medicine practitioner will typically order the complete panel without hesitation.
A comprehensive thyroid panel (TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, TPO, TG antibodies) typically costs $100-200 through direct-to-consumer labs like Ulta Lab Tests or Walk-In Lab. Through a practitioner, it may be higher but includes interpretation.
Tell Gabriel your symptoms and health goals. Get personalized diagnostic recommendations backed by evidence, not guesswork.