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Four tests â thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), Free T3, Free T4 and thyroid antibodies â are required to accurately assess the function of the thyroid gland, our master gland of metabolism. An optimal TSH level should be less than 2.0, not the currently accepted 4.7 reported by most labs.
The thyroid gland is important in regulating metabolism. It produces 2 important metabolic hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). T4 contains 4 iodine atoms, whilst T3 contains 3 iodine atoms. T3 and T4 both affect the bodyâs metabolism by influencing protein production of every cell in the body.