Best treatment option for hyperthyroidism

[lisa_bos]

Hi Doctor,

My T4 is 0.0007 and my T3 is 18.7 and by blood pressure is 110/70.I dont hav eany other health issues detected other than hyperthyroidism.Is beta blockers the best treatment option for me.I am worried that Radiactive iodine uptake test will damage the cells and if I am a good candidate for beta blockers ?What are the conditions which determine whether I can take beta blockers or not ?Please Advise.


Thanks ,
Manju

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The I-123 uptake determines cause of hyperthyroidism.  It is a very low dose and does not damage the thyroid.  It is a useful test in this situation.  beta blockers have very few side effects and can protect the heart from over-excitement due to the hyperthyroidism.

[GravesGirl]

You might be mistaking the tsh for the t-4. the number 0.007 sounds like real low tsh but not a number that sounds like the t-4. Do you have the ranges? Maybe the 18 number is the t-4 if you come from Canada maybe? Our ranges are different. like the Free t-4 is (.80-1.80) and the Free t-3 is (2.7-4.2) the tsh is usually (.35-3.0) here in the US.Did you have the 'free" testing done or the total? Sorry I'm not the doc but thought I could clarify this.

[lisa_bos]

Thanks for the comment.You are right.I have mistaken Tsh for T4.I have done my testing in US.This was a fasting blood test and I really dont know if this is free or total.Anyway I was just looking for a way to just take medications instead of Radioactive iodine uptake test .Do you have any idea abt treatment for these levels ?

[mtkst13]

i think they do the radioactive iodine test to determine whether the hyperthyroidism is caused by graves disease OR thyroiditis.  normal to high uptake is usually graves and low uptake is usually thyroiditis.

i had the test when i was hyper and was glad i did because initially they thought i had graves disease.  turns out it was thyroiditis and i didn't need meds (until i went hypo).

[lisa_bos]

Thanks doctor for your information about Radioactive iodine uptake test.I was really afraid to take the test.I would take the test and go from there.

Thanks again!
Manju