In most cases, thyroid antibodies (TPOab, TgAb or TSI, depending on the situation) should be tested, since autoimmune condition can be present, causing inflammation/swelling and/or other
symptoms, long before actual
thyroid hormone levels go out
of range.
In addition, lab ranges are set in such a way, that those with levels in the lower portion of ranges for Free T4 and Free T3, almost always have hypothyroidism, even though doctors refuse to make the diagnosis.