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Thyroid (Expert Forum)
TSH elevated, but T3 and T4 normal. Fatigue, but weight loss and nervousness.
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 elevated, but T3 and T4 normal. Fatigue, but weight loss and nervousness.
by CleverNickname, Jul 02, 2007 12:00AM
I took a test early this year and was told I had a TSH level of 5.7 mIU/1. A follow-up test showed it had gone up to 6.5 three months later, and now, another three months later, I was told the level is 23(!). All this time, though, my T3/T4 levels have been relatively normal. I've lost weight, I've become increasingly nervous, irritable and forgetful, and I rarely seem to ever get a good night's sleep. I've also developed a decrease in my ability to process sugar without full-blown diabetes symptoms. It seems that even when I feel as though I've slept enough, once I eat I often fall back into a haze, though this varies with the food. Often when I eat something I develop a speckled red patch just below my sternum, sometimes accompanied by pruritis. There are ancillary issues, including frequent intestinal distress, flaking skin, and increased ringing in the ears, but I don't know if these are related. I'm in my early 30's, I have many relatives who were disposed to type 2 diabetes, but none who had hypothyroidism as far as I know, although I suspect my late father may have had it.
We will do glucose and thyroid blood tests in a few months, and I have been given a daily prescription for 50 micrograms of thyroxin, but should I be doing more? Shouldn't we test for tumors in the thyroid and pituitary given the desparity between the TSH levels and the T3/T4 levels? Could the glucose intolerance be related? Thank you very much for your time.
We will do glucose and thyroid blood tests in a few months, and I have been given a daily prescription for 50 micrograms of thyroxin, but should I be doing more? Shouldn't we test for tumors in the thyroid and pituitary given the desparity between the TSH levels and the T3/T4 levels? Could the glucose intolerance be related? Thank you very much for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Jul 03, 2007 12:00AM
, Jul 03, 2007 12:00AM
This is subclinical hypothyroidism - I would imagine the T4 and T3 would begin to drop soon given the TSH of 23. Treatment makes sense. No indication to test for pituitary tumors based on what you describe.
Consider testing for sprue -- gluten sensitivity; do this especially if hashimoto's documented as cause of hypothyroidism (test TPO & Tg antibodies).
Glucose intolerance is sometimes seen with thyroid dysfunction.
Consider testing for sprue -- gluten sensitivity; do this especially if hashimoto's documented as cause of hypothyroidism (test TPO & Tg antibodies).
Glucose intolerance is sometimes seen with thyroid dysfunction.
Have heard it many times now and I have only been dx'd hypo for about 6 weeks.
I'm glad this resource exists.
-CN
my brother is having nervousness,irritability & increased thirst at night. he is 12 yrs old. he has not gained height despite going for regular karate classes & swimming classes. his t3 ,t4 levels are normal but his TSH nlevel is raised. it's 5.18.kindly tell me the prognosis . will he be on medication lifelong? what medication he should take?
BR