For SOME people it is in the upper range of normal. For a while, my older daughter needed it just slightly "high." There are many factors that can interfere with it's functioning. It needs to be converted to T3. It needs to be able to be transported across the blood-brain barrier. It needs other nutrients to function in the cell. It needs to not get deteriorated by antibodies.
The articles talk about psychiatric presentation from hypOthyroidism AND hypERthyroidism, and what comprehensive testing of thyroid function should include.
The exact number that is rhe "upper" limit depends on the lab doing the test. Each lab provides it's reference range. Many modern doctors no longer go by symptoms but by the numbers. They ignore blatant symptoms of hypothyroidism even if the the thyroid level is the rock bottom of "normal" in that refernece range because they look at it now as YES/NO. In or out of that range.
Note though, my younger daughter initially needed other hormones adjusted as well (for instance her progesterone was low, too). Some doctors say it is also important that the hormone levels are balanced.
--Jeanie aka "Naomi" It's Not Mental Older dd: formerly(?) teen-onset bipolar (morphed into ultradian cycling): "Recovered" after over 13 years - stable off psych meds almost two years. Now fine on just diet changes and higher thyroid levels (after healing - addressing gut issues/Candidal overgrowth while using EMPowerPlus and other supplements). She added a little EMpowerPlus back on as a multivitamin simply because she feels better on it - gets sick less often. Younger dd: formerly(?) Childhood-onset schizoaffective, TS, OCD, anxiety, PTSD, migraines. After over 15 years, is now "recovered" for almost 5 years after treating endocrine issues, food sensitivities, gut issues, sleep issues, nutritional/mitochondrial needs.
For SOME people it is in the upper range of normal. For a while, my older daughter needed it just slightly "high." There are many factors that can interfere with it's functioning. It needs to be converted to T3. It needs to be able to be transported across the blood-brain barrier. It needs other nutrients to function in the cell. It needs to not get deteriorated by antibodies.
But for some people, this is not their issue. This article Brain Health: The Thyroid Connection links to three other articles on the topic, one located here: Hypothyroidism: Is It Contributing to Your Child's Symptoms?
The articles talk about psychiatric presentation from hypOthyroidism AND hypERthyroidism, and what comprehensive testing of thyroid function should include.
The exact number that is rhe "upper" limit depends on the lab doing the test. Each lab provides it's reference range. Many modern doctors no longer go by symptoms but by the numbers. They ignore blatant symptoms of hypothyroidism even if the the thyroid level is the rock bottom of "normal" in that refernece range because they look at it now as YES/NO. In or out of that range.
Here is what our GP wrote about the younger daughter: A Medical Doctor's Perspective of the Case
Note though, my younger daughter initially needed other hormones adjusted as well (for instance her progesterone was low, too). Some doctors say it is also important that the hormone levels are balanced.
--Jeanie aka "Naomi"
It's Not Mental
Older dd: formerly(?) teen-onset bipolar (morphed into ultradian cycling): "Recovered" after over 13 years - stable off psych meds almost two years. Now fine on just diet changes and higher thyroid levels (after healing - addressing gut issues/Candidal overgrowth while using EMPowerPlus and other supplements). She added a little EMpowerPlus back on as a multivitamin simply because she feels better on it - gets sick less often.
Younger dd: formerly(?) Childhood-onset schizoaffective, TS, OCD, anxiety, PTSD, migraines. After over 15 years, is now "recovered" for almost 5 years after treating endocrine issues, food sensitivities, gut issues, sleep issues, nutritional/mitochondrial needs.