NORMAL T4 LOW TSH

[jasha2150]

I AM A 24 YEAR OLD FEMALE 14 WEEKS POSTPARDUM MY TSH LEVELS ARE 0.01 AND MY T4 LEVELS ARE NORMAL I FEEL HORRIBLE.  I CANT SLEEP I FEEL EXHAUSTED I HAVE LID LAG I AM STARRVING ALL OF THE TIME I CANT PRODUCE ENOUGH MILK FOR BREAST FEEDING, I HAVE HOT FLASHES, ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE BIRTH OF MY FIRST CHILD BUT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE SINCE I HAVE HAD MY SECOND CHILD.  WHILE I WAS PREGNANT I HAD MY TSH LEVELS TEST END I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NORMAL.  WHAT CAN I DO I CANT SEE MY ENDO DR FOR ANOTHER MONTH I DONT FEEL LIKE I CAN GO LIKE THIS FOR ANOTHER MONTH?????

[lorierey]

A related discussion, Hypothyroid? was started.

[momisj]

I had three years of acute illness with recurrent sinus infections, and acute asthma.  Was treated with long-term antibiotics which resolved this following an episode as a sequel to influenza A and pneumonia.  three months later I had another episode of pneumonia with no asthma symptoms.  At that point I began to have extreme fatigue and hair loss.  TSH was 1.5.  Because my symptoms persisted   I researched hypothyroidism and asked my allergist to treat me based on symptoms rather than blood test with Armour.  I improved but still hair loss and low energy and weight gain, constipation.  Now he is checking my blood and has cut my dose in half because TSH is .01 and free t4 normal.  I have no symptoms of hyperthyroidism.  Has anyone had this problem?  I have also loss of pubic hair and muscle stiffness in the morning or after sitting a while.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This is likely postpartm thyroiditis.  Would ask to check antibodies including TSI.  Often, no specific treatment is needed and the condition will improve with time.  Sounds like it happened with both pregnancies.  In some cases treatment of hyperthyroidism is indicated and in others, patients will become hypothyroid eventually.

[lhowell]

When the doctor told you that your TSH level was .01, did he/she Rx something for HYPERTHYROIDISM?  You have an overactive thyroid.

[Emy4]

You are in the situation I was in 3 weeks ago.  I found out I was hypo and Hashi's in June-July.  Three weeks ago, my tsh went to .02, and t4 was normal to high.  I was losing weight, had increased temp, heart rate, and was very tired/sleepy.  My endo and internist finally agreed to lower my synthroid dose.  When those last batch of tests came back, I was instructed to stop taking my meds for a few days , then start back on the low dose.  I have to go back in 6 weeks, and at that time, the endo is going to take a closer look at my thyroid itself- I am not sure what he meant by that but I think maybe to see if its swollen or has developed any growths?  Can you call you dr office and tell them how you feel over the phone?  That is the first thing I did, and they adjusted it down a little bit based on my description of the problems.  Then I went in to internist and had tests and it got adjusted down more.  I am sorry you are going through this, and it  is nice to know I amnot alone!  Neither are you!

[Lake Lover]

T-4 is affected by estrogen.  Request a FT-4 which will give you a better idea of true levels.  If your FT-4 is high then you should have antibodies tests run (TPO and TSI or a Thyrotropin receptor)to rule out autoimmune thyroid disorder.

I speak from personal experience and your situation sounds very similar to mine.  I have thyroid disease that surfaced after the birth of my first child but went undiagnosed for 7 years because the Gyno did not intrepret the tests properly.  My TSH was .03 undetectable and my T-4 was 8.8 (4.5-12)I had many symptoms symptoms of hyper.

You might be better going to your gp and requesting the tests.  Request copies of all of your lab work to see exactly where in range you are.

Good Luck.

[Emy4]

You are in the situation I was in 3 weeks ago.  I found out I was hypo and Hashi's in June-July.  Three weeks ago, my tsh went to .02, and t4 was normal to high.  I was losing weight, had increased temp, heart rate, and was very tired/sleepy.  My endo and internist finally agreed to lower my synthroid dose.  When those last batch of tests came back, I was instructed to stop taking my meds for a few days , then start back on the low dose.  I have to go back in 6 weeks, and at that time, the endo is going to take a closer look at my thyroid itself- I am not sure what he meant by that but I think maybe to see if its swollen or has developed any growths?  Can you call you dr office and tell them how you feel over the phone?  That is the first thing I did, and they adjusted it down a little bit based on my description of the problems.  Then I went in to internist and had tests and it got adjusted down more.  I am sorry you are going through this, and it  is nice to know I amnot alone!  Neither are you!