Normal TSH/Low Free T4

[pizzapie]

My friend has a 4 year old who has some developmental delays and has been sleeping a  lot lately so her doctor orderd thyroid tests for the girl. The TSH was normal - 2 something - but the free T4 was low - .6 something. The girl's doctor is talking to someone else about it but what do you think? Is it normal or should she ask her doctor to do more tests?

[Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD]

Sometimes labs have different normal ranges, 0.6 is normal for our lab but low for others, I would have the pediatrician talk with a peds endo or consider repeating the labs to be sure first.  Sometimes having it done at a Children's Hospital rather than send out may help. They can then talk about if there are other tests to be done or other hormones to explore.

[pizzapie]

Thank you! My friend's daughter doctor is actually sending her to the Children's Hospital to get the blood work done again so your answer being the same made her feel better!!!