Originally Posted by glenntaj

--the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is definitely high, indicating your body thinks it is not getting enough thyroid hormone, despite the levels listed, and that through the feedback loop the pituitary is signalling your thyroid to make more.

You're right about the controversy of "normal" ranges. About five years ago now, the American Academy of Endocrinology recommended that the "normal" range for TSH should be revised downward, from the old .5-5.5 range to .3-3.0 or so. The feeling was that there were subtle cases of hypothyroidism being missed in that 3-5.5 range; and that optimal ranges of TSH for many people (there is considerable variation in how people feel and what symptoms of hypothyroidism--fatigue, brittle hair, weight gain, etc., they feel at the upper end of the old range) were around 2 or lower. But many doctors, it seems, haven't "gotten the memo". (Mary Shomon talks about this at her About.com thyroid sites--she's a fountain of information about thyroid issues.)

Still, your TSH reading warrants further investigation, especially if you are symptomatic. Tests for autoimmune antibodies to thyroid tissue/hormone and an investigation by ultrasound to look for nodules would be warranted. Are you experiencing hypothyroid symptoms?