Low FT4 and TSH but normal FT3?

[captaintrips]

I have been having hypothyroid symptoms for years now and just thought i was getting fat untill m hands and ankles got very swollen and never went down. So I went to a doc who was completely ignorant (at least i hope so or they just didnt care) and talked them into doing basic labs, here are the results.

TSH: 0.79 (0.34-5.60)
FT4: 0.78 (0.60-1.60)
FT3: 3.3 (2.4-4.2)

Doc said it was all within range and refused to listen to my symptoms, but I managed to pry a referral to an endo out them. Sadly I have to wait 3 months for the appt :(
Just curious what u all think about those levels... seems rather strange to me.

BTW: I am having just about every symptom a male can have, plus some that make me think of cushing's (huge fat belly that wont stop growing, and purple stretch marks everywhere)

Any ideas?  I have been eating 1000-1500 calories a day and exercising more than i have in my life and I keep gaining fat (weight has stayed the same though)

Thanks.  

[FTB4]

Is it possible for you to see another Endocrinologist? You might be able to get some assistance through the National Thyroid Foundation , They are located in Pflugerville, Texas, about 20 miles from Austin. Email To: ***@****
or you can call 512-252-3249  Best Regards FTB4

[mommyjamieof2]

my husband has similar labs to you and i believe he has a thyroid problem from symptoms but..

August 09
TSH 1.20
FT4 0.64
T3 uptake 34.0

May 2010
TSH 1.38
FT4 0.56- 0.59-1.17
T3 uptake 32.0- 33.0-40.0
FT3 3.5- 2.0-4.4

He has alot of pain, fatigue, insomnia, moodiness, pot belly but lean otherwise, I am not sure he has stretch marks I will have to pay attention.

Don't really have much to offer to your situation but your not alone!  What other symptoms do you have?

[captaintrips]

I just realised that the TSH and FT4-FT3 were taken at different times... so tsh was probably different at the time of FT4-FT3 testing :\
I will have to wait till monday to see about getting rescheduled, and the main doc I saw last didnt want to test much of anything and seemed convinced i was just depressed, so I'm hoping the endo will be a bit more open and not discount it just because im a young male...

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

it could be something other than thyroid, as your thyroid levels don't look alarming.

However, the purple stretch marks etc are a big concern and you definitely need to be seeing an endocrinologist asap.

Ask your MD to test your cortisol levels.  They can do that even in advance of an endo appointment.  If there is anything obvious on the cortisol, then maybe you can get into the endo sooner.

Can you ask the endo to be put on a cancellation list (ie you come in at short notice when someone else has cancelled?)