Elevated TSH Normal T 4

[kitcurious]

Hi,

Thank you for taking my question and I apologize if you've answered this type before. I was recently on an event monitor for tachycardia (just mailed it back)and the cardiologist repeated the blood work I'd had at my last physical about 9 months ago. Back 9 months ago I was told my TSH was "Normal" at 4.3. The blood work the Cardio ordered came last week with a TSH of 6.1.

I experience a great deal of fatigue. I get my daily tasks completed efficiently and exercise 5 days a week, but I have to almost "whip" myself up to do it. Once I get in at the close of my day my limbs feel almost weighted down and there is no getting me up and out again, so after work and school I stay home a lot.

Anyway, the TSH test indicated hypothyroidism, is that correct? If so, isn't the tachycardia (often 110-130 when not engaged in activity)incompatible with that? I also have lost weight recently, went from a size 4 to a size 1. I am not dieting.
I don't know the change in pounds because I don't own a scale.

Is it common to have what seem to be symptoms of both over and under active thyroid at the same time?

I see my GP on Monday and am not sure where to go from here.
Thank you again.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Hypothyroidism does not usually cause tachycardia.  Would test T4 & T3 levels, repeat TSH and obtain thyroid antibodies.  You may have mild hypothyroidism, treatment may not change the tachy, but may help the fatigue.

[kitcurious]

My GP that I see Monday is the same one who said the 4.3 TSH last summer was fine so I am not all that confident seeing him about the results of test the cardiologist ran.

[goldy3]

I can tell you that my TSH was recently 18 and that I too was experiencing both hyper and  hypo symptoms...I lost 20 pounds, had out of control anxiety and rapid heart rate...all consistent with hyperthyroidism...I also had the typical symptoms of hypothyroidism as well...no one really explained this to me but whether they say it's possible or not I went through it...good luck and  I hope you feel better..

[kitcurious]

Well, the GP palpated my throat and decided to order an ultrasound. He said he thought there was something there but then joked ( I guess it was a joke)
" You are so skinny things may just stick out on you".
He also took blood for antibody testing.

[kitcurious]

Thanks for the supportive post :-)
I know nothing about any of this, just got my blood test back with the slight elevation, but maybe  some people's bodies react to the TSH being generated at such a high rate, even though the ultimate result will be that there won't be enough in the body?
Haven't a clue.  I am grateful to know I am not alone.

[2blessed]

My 7y dd had odd labs in April. We started Iron and retested the thyroid yesterday. The new results are also odd... any suggestions? (not dd takes 30 Adderall (adderrall), 500 Depakote, 100 Seroquil so that is another consieration?)

B12 1536
Folate >20
TSH 7.21
T4 6.7
Free T4 1.1
T3 129
Free T3 3.8

[2blessed]

ds (twin) to above dd had nearly the opp on his thyroid labs (but also had elevated b12 and he too just started iron)

B12 1167
Folate >20
TSH 3.01
T4 4.7
Free T4 .9
T3 94

he is on Trileptal, Prozac and Concerta