WHEN TO TEST YOUR THYROID LEVELS

3 MONTHS AFTER YOUR LAST THYROID DOSE ADJUSTMENT.

You can test sooner but if you do you

must take into account the fact that

some of your levels will not yet be at a

steady state.

01

WHEN TO TEST YOUR THYROID LEVELS

BEFORE YOU TAKE THAT DAY’S THYROID MEDICATIONS.

If you take your tests after taking your thyroid medicine,

your free T3 levels may be artificially higher.

02

BEFORE EATING FOOD.

If you take your test after your meal,

your TSH may look artificially lower.

03 WW

W.D

RC

HR

IST

IAN

SO

N.C

OM

WW

W.D

RC

HR

IST

IAN

SO

N.C

OM

04 BEFORE CONSUMING COFFEE OR ANY OTHER BEVERAGES BESIDES WATER.

Coffee and other beverages may cause your free T3 and

free T4 levels to look artificially lower.

BEFORE TAKING ANY OTHER PILLS OR MEDICATIONS. 07

IF YOU ARE PREGNANT.

The previous rules apply. Know that

your levels will have more random

fluctuation.

It is recommended to test once each

trimester if your levels are stable. Test

more often if you are needing dose

adjustments.

06

05 IN THE MORNING BETWEEN 7-9 AM.

If you test later in the day, your TSH may look artificially

lower.

IF YOU ARE A WOMAN WITH REGULAR MENSTRUAL CYCLES.

Do your thyroid test between days 1 - 10 or days 23 - 28 of

your menstrual cycle. Day 1 is the first day of your menstrual

flow.

If you test in the periovulatory phase between days 10 - 22, you

may skew your TSH and TBG scores.

08

WHEN TO TEST YOUR THYROID LEVELS

www.drchristianson.com

Alan ChrisManson, NMD, is a naturopathic

medical doctor who specializes in natural

endocrinology with a focus on thyroid

disorders. He is a New York Times bestselling

author, has been named a Top Doctor in

Phoenix Magazine, and has been featured

numerous Mmes in naMonal media, including

The Doctors, Dr. Oz, Inside Edi8on and many

more. Alan lives in ScoSsdale with his wife

and their two children.

MEET DR. C

To learn more, and for additional thyroid health resources, visit: