Hyperthyroid? Elevated T-3 normal TSH

[smilenlaughoften]

I am experiencing the following symptoms:

Mild Hypertension (one year) treated with Toprol 1/2 25 mg daily, weight loss ( 20 lbs in last three months)with normal appetite, bounding heart with shortness of breath with activity ( one year),hair loss( six months),dry eyes with pressure ( last 30 days confirmed by an Ophthalmologist),insomnia, and anxiety.

I have had a EKG, Echo, two 24 hr urine, and CT one year ago, Nuc Med, US, and CBC within the last two months.  Only remarkable resulsts are as follows : Slightly elevated T3, THS of 1.24( low normaal), and small nodule on thyroid ( ruled normal upon Nuc Med and US). The doctors have decided to monitor the elevated T3 and have placed me on Xanax.  Is this appropriate treatment considering the physical symptoms are indicative of Hyperthyroidism? Will monitoring cause long term effects? Is this a case of Anxiety? Thank you in advance for your comment's and opinions.

[ancientmariner]

I don't think Dr. Mark looks back thru posts to see if anyone posted a comment to him - if you want him to see your question, up at the top of the page, there's a link for Post a Question - this will post a new question for Dr. Mark.  
I had Graves/Rai a few years ago, and the symptoms you describe for your daughter certainly sound like it to me. I'd get a second opinion if I were her.

[sindylou]

hi iam new to this site but i have been reading every ones problems with there thyriods i my self had graves i was only treated 18 months ago with rai. iam a female age 51 but i had  a goitre up in my neck for 12 years with normal funtion the reason that iam writing in is because my daughter who is 31 has all the symptoms of a over active thyriod she had blood tests  back in june 05 TSH WAS01.46 ANDT4 WAS15.3   that was june05  now january06 this is the resultsT4  14. and thats it no antibodies done and no other bloods for thyriod  she also had bloods for liver..kidneys..iron..bloodcount...all normal   our gp said theres nothing wrong with her  these are her  symptoms   weight loss gone from 11stones to   9stone  eats more than normal all the time. sweating pulpations  shaking hands our gp said that her 3 little boys give her stress. has any one got any advice please as we are realy worried ....forgot to mention that my graves was caused by my antibodies  my dad also had it  so it does run in familys.thanks for reading this sindylou.

[sindylou]

hi this question is for the  medical doctor  my daughter had her thyriod bloods done in june05 this was the results  T4 15.3 and no t3 done then another blood test 3wks ago as she still has symptoms and this was the results TSH 0.146 and T4  14.0 and the antibodies test aint back yet can you please tell me what is thenormal range  she has all over active symptoms i have posted a thread here earley today thanks sindylou

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

You did not mention age or gender -- if you are a female on any sort of estrogen the most likely explanation is an elevated T3 due to estrogen binding effect on thyroid hormone.  Would repeat the T3 as a free T3 to exclude this.  The TSH is completely normal.  My guess is the symptoms are not due to hyperthyroidism.  The thyroid nodule should be monitored with ultrasound every 1-2 years to ensure stability of size.