Possible hypothyroid?

[Adrienne Wingfield]

I am having all of the symptoms of a hypothyroid, but all of my tests have come back normal, including antibodies. My TSH is .7, my free T4 is .8, my T3 is 83 and t3 uptake is 33. Is it possible to have a borderline hypothyroid with these symptoms? I have trouble losing weight, fatigue, extreme intolerance to cold, brittle fingernails and hair, very dry skin, etc.

Please advise if my test results are indicative of any possible thyroid disfunction or what else might cause these results.

Kindly,
AF

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The T4 and T3 are borderline low while the TSH is normal -- this is not thyroid failure, but brings up the rare possibility of a pituitary problem where TSH is not appropriately produced.  Would ask your doctor to consider pituitary testing such as blood for prolactin, IGF-1, ACTH and cortisol, as well as LH/FSH (and estrogen if female and testosterone if male) -- also consider pituitary MRI --- if all this is normal, then I doubt there is a real thyroid or endocrine problem causing the symptoms.

First - would repeat the TSH to confirm the result...

[mshypo]

I don't think it has to be thyroid "failure" for a person to have symptoms...in fact there is considerable controversy treating hypo symptoms versus waiting until TSH rises.  One might only have 15% deficiency and have symptoms - and those Frees will still be in range then...just lower than they should be for that person.  So i guess a person can let the doctor wait until some other parts also go hypo and the TSH finally rises (if it does at all)...but that would risk permanent damage on the 15% that is already hypo. ask me how i know.

This scenario seems extremely common with Hashimoto's.  Have you had thyroid antibodies tested?  antibodies can cause symptoms even with labs look great.