? about labs

[confused9790]

Has anyone had a problem with High TSH Low free T4  but High free T3.  I was told by the doc that it is unusual.  Has anyone experienced this before?

[stella5349]

It does sound very odd. Do you ahve the actual tests to look at?  It is pretty hard to see how off the levels are if not posted.

[AR-10]

We've been talking.
Her Free T3 is just under high limit.
Her Free T4 is just above low limit.
Her TSH was high.
Right now it's falling to normal.

It's like there some kind of reverse conversion problem where the T4 is converting to T3 too fast. Never heard of that one.

[irretractable]

Did you ever get an explanation?  My labs are similar (Free T3 just above normal, Free T4 just below normal and high TSH (which has  now returned to normal).

[AR-10]

Have you had any tests to try to sniff out the problem?

Maybe if you could list your experience trying to pin down the problem, the two of you could figure it out.

What does your doctor say?
Blank stares? Mumbo Jumbo?

[stella5349]

Was there any reverse T3 done?
TPO?

[Manxie]

My results were a bit like that before I was treated-; tsh 14.98, free t3 4.6 (range 2.6 - 5.7), free t4 11.3 ( range 9.0 - 24.0) . So neither T4 or T3 were out of range as such but the tsh was. The T3 was at a quite healthy level but the T4 was on the low side. I felt awful by the way!! I have figured that I convert T4 quite well but the thyorid is struggling to produce the T4. Still not sure why fully as I didnt have thyroid antibodies but I did have other types.

I turned out to have some type of autoimmune issue (not fully diagnosed yet but antibodies indiacte this) as well as hypo, so maybe just maybe its worth getting your doc to test for antibodies in your blood.

Just for your info to see if you feel like I did and vice versa I was so tired and cold, joint pains real bad, carpal tunnel syndrome, dperession, brain fog, itchy dry skin, hair loss, sleeping all time etc etc.

          Hope you get to the bottom of things soon,
                                Manxie
                                                                            

[estrelinha]

http://www.endocrineweb.com/thyfunction.html:
"The normal thyroid gland produces about 80% T4 and about 20% T3, however, T3 possesses about four times the hormone "strength" as T4". May be this explain something, try the doctors forum. AR-10 may be right too.....

[stella5349]

I believe AR is very correct and a reverse T3 may also open some doors on why this is happening.

[Havinfun]

I found this chart. I don't know how accurate it is.

Quick Information about your lab tests:

Average Reference Ranges from Popular Labs:

TSH (3rd. Gen.) - Reference Range .4 - 5.5
T4 FREE - Reference Range .8 - 1.8
T3 FREE - Reference Range 2.30 - 4.20
T3 TOTAL - Reference Range .70 - 1.79
Thyroxine (TOTAL T4) - Reference Range 4.5 - 12.0

ANTIBODIES:
Thyroglobulin Ab 326 Reference Range 00 - 74
Thyroid Peroxidase Ab Reference Range 00 – 74

IDEAL NORMAL & GOAL LAB VALUES WHEN BEING TREATED:

Normal TSH = .85 – 1.7
Normal Free T3 = 3.7 – 4.1
Normal Free T4 = 1.3 – 1.7
No Antibodies

“CLASSIC HYPOTHYROID”:

High TSH > 2.5 – 4.0 and Up
Low Free T3 < 2.5
Low Free T4 < 1.2

Possible Hashi’s Disease:

Normal TSH
Normal Free T3
Normal Free T4
High Antibodies

Possible Hashi’s Disease:

High TSH
High Free T3
Low/Normal Free T4
High Antibodies

Possible Hashi’s Disease:

Normal TSH
Low/Normal Free T3
Low/Normal Free T4
High Antibodies

Possible Grave’s Disease:

Low (or zero even) TSH
Normal/High Free T3
Normal/High Free T4
Antibodies Probably Present
TSI Antibodies Present

Possible Pituitary and/or Hypothalamus Problem (Tumor on Pituitary):

Normal TSH
High Free T3
Normal/High Free T4

Possible Pituitary and/or Hypothalamus Problem (Tumor on Pituitary):

High TSH
Normal Free T3
Normal Free T4