Very Low TSH normal T4 High T3

[juliee20]

I was hyperthyroid 33 years ago and had half of my thyroid removed.  I have felt my thyroid was off for years.  I have been having thyroid tests taken yearly and this year my results were as follows:

TSH <0.01 - reference 0.35-5.50
T4 1.39        reference 0.80-1.80
T3 4.9          reference 2.3-4.2

I am also type II diabetic, uncontrolled, high lipids before Lipitor.  What is going on?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

You are hyperthyroid again - may be Graves, a toxic nodule or thyroiditis.  May need an I-123 uptake/scan to confirm cause - but this may have already been done.  Hyperthyroidism increases insulin resistance which would lead to higher glucose readings.

[GravesGirl]

Wow! I guess you should have had the whole thing removed I guess, huh? Your free t-4 is not high but your free t-3 is. I had this too, it's called t-3 toxicosis, but is still Graves disease. I am not diabetic though, so I don't know about that. What does your doctor say? Maybe you can try meds this time?

[juliee20]

I  am having an Uptake/scan next week so I guess I'll learn more then.  Shouldn't my T4 be high too?  Why is only my T3 high?  It's confusing to me.  

Did they give you medication for the T3 Toxicosis?  

[GravesGirl]

Yes, I'm still on meds altho lowered dosage to 3 times a week. have been on meds a year.I never had high t-4 only t-3, it happens, thus the name.

[meanwhile]

A related discussion, very low TSH was started.

[lesa1001]

A related discussion, high tsh was started.

[jamiemarier]

A related discussion, thyroid was started.