Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Thyroid (Expert Forum)
tsh, t4 normal but low t3
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
tsh, t4 normal but low t3
by missrhonda1, May 21, 2007 12:00AM
I am a 34 year old female currently on estradiol for a total hysterectomy in sept 2006. My problem has been ongoing for 2 years even prior to the hysterectomy, my symptoms seem to come and go. My symtpoms are palpitations, racing heart on exertion, major hair loss (I feel like am going to go bald it is so much), dry skin, fatigue, sweating, muscle twitching, mild nausea on occasion in the morning, excess bowel movements, slight pressure feeling behind one eye with minor fuzzy vision, cold (particularly hands and feet)when others are warm or even hot. I will sometimes feel perfect and have none of these symptoms and then they all come together at once for a few months at a time. Have had extensive workups cardiologist, rheumatoligist, neurology all normal.
First blood tests TSH of .9 T4 total 9.63, t3 free 2.4. Second test TSH of 1.52 T4 10.1 and a T3 of 2.3. Doctor said the T3 was active thyroid. My doctor wants to put me on armour thyroid 30 mg. daily. My questions are as follows: 1.Are my test results considered within normal limits? 2.Is it necessary to take the armour thyroid at this point considering my symptoms? 3. Would you recommend a follow with an endo? 4. are my symptoms listed above cohesive with thyroid problems?
First blood tests TSH of .9 T4 total 9.63, t3 free 2.4. Second test TSH of 1.52 T4 10.1 and a T3 of 2.3. Doctor said the T3 was active thyroid. My doctor wants to put me on armour thyroid 30 mg. daily. My questions are as follows: 1.Are my test results considered within normal limits? 2.Is it necessary to take the armour thyroid at this point considering my symptoms? 3. Would you recommend a follow with an endo? 4. are my symptoms listed above cohesive with thyroid problems?
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., May 22, 2007 12:00AM
, May 22, 2007 12:00AM
Your tests appear normal and I would typically not start thyroid meds in this situation. Would test thyroid antibodies and if positive, reconsider meds....if negative, look elsewhere for the cause of symptoms but repeat thyroid panel in about 3-4 months to be certain nothing was missed. your symptoms are mixed hypo/hyper and of course, these symptoms are not specific to thyroid. May ask for an am cortisol level to screen for adrenal insufficiency -- if >=11 it's clearly normal, if not then an ACTH stimulation test would be a more precise measurement.
Low T3 is sometimes seen in other illnesses (ie, non-thyroid illness) -- the normal TSH is suggestive (but not absolutely) that the thyroid is normal.
Low T3 is sometimes seen in other illnesses (ie, non-thyroid illness) -- the normal TSH is suggestive (but not absolutely) that the thyroid is normal.
Cheers,
Scott