TSH levels high but T3 and T4 normal, am I hypo?

[NoNRG]

I went in to the Dr. because I was having GI problems and I was tired all the time. I mentioned that I also get cold very easily in comparison to others. He said it sounded like IBS.
Tests come back and my TSH is a 12 (twelve). A week later I take T3 and T4 tests. They start me on 50mcg levothyroxine after the test.
Four days after starting the pills I am told to stop taking them because my T3 and T4 levels are normal and that my first TSH test must have been a lab error.
I didn't even know what hypothyroidism was when this all started, but now I've found out that my mother (whom I don't speak with regularly) has had hypo since she was 40. I'm 22 now, am I hypo, are the tests wrong, should I see a specialist?
Thank you for any suggestions, I'm really confused.

[gimel]

Test results and calculated reference ranges can vary from lab to lab, so test results should always be compared to their reference ranges from the same lab.  .Before discussing further, please list the reference ranges shown on the lab report for those tests.  Also, symptoms are an even more important indicator of thyroid issues than test results, so please tell us about any symptoms you have.

[Apss]

Hey!  My t3  and t4 level was 131.2 nd 5.5  nd tsh  was 6.2  now 2 month  later I went  for  tsh  checkup now t3 and t4 are108 8.6 and  tsh  reach  up-to 10.39 what  does  it  mean

[gimel]

TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that at best it is only an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3.  That said, your TSH is high enough to warrant a test for the possibility of having Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  Two tests are required to check for Hashi's.  Those tests are Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies and Thyroglobulin antibodies, often shown as TPO ab and TG ab.  Be aware that TSH does not cause symptoms, it is only the pituitary response to T4 and T3 levels, to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone.  

For some reason your body is not adequately converting T4 to T3, resulting in your Free T3 actually being below range, while your Free T4 is high in its range.  Two of the main things that affect conversion are ferritin, which is a storage form of iron, and also selenium.  Hair loss can also be related to ferritin level.  Would it be possible to get tested for ferritin and selenium?

As for taking thyroid med, at this time what you would need is only T3 med to raise your Free T3 level.  Whether or not you want to pursue that right away is dependent on how bad your symptoms are.  You may want to find out your ferritin and selenium levels first and see if those are deficient.  If so, then the best approach might be to optimize those and allow some time for conversion of T4 to T3 to improve, and see if your symptoms go away..  

[des900]

You seem to have T4 to T3 conversion issue. Eat zinc and selenium rich foods and also switch to desiccated thyroid medicine which have both T4 and T3. Ideally your T4 or Free T4 should come close to middle of reference range. If its above it as the latest result its showing you have conversion problem too and not just hypothyroid.

[parohuda]

Hi,
1st test value:
       value      Units   Reference range
T3 : 102        ng/dl   60-200
T4:   7.3        μg/dl   4.5-12.0
Tsh: 17.88     μiu/ml 0.30-5.5

After couple of weeks i have taken the thyroid test again and my results are as follows
              value      Units    Reference range
TSH :   8.54        μiu/ml     0.34 - 5.5
FT3  :   2.21        pg/ml      2.50 - 3.90
FT4  :   1.15        ng/dl       0.66 - 1.20

Previously TSH is 17.88 but now it has reduced to 8.54 in a 2 week difference.. I am confused and dnt knw whether to treat this condition or not to take medication...
Symptoms:
Hair loss, feeling tired and i dnt feel any other symptoms rather than these two.

[gimel]

Test results should always be compared to reference ranges, so please post the ranges shown on the lab report for those results.  Also, even more important, please tell us about any symptoms you have.  

[parohuda]

I have again taken thyroid test in fasting for testing FT3 and FT4. the results are as follows....

TSH :   8.54
FT3  :   2.21
FT4  :   1.15

Previously TSH is 17.88 but now it has reduced to 8/54 in a 2 week difference.. I am confused and dnt knw whether to treat or not to take medication...
Please suggest idea on this case

[gimel]

In order for us to make any suggestion we need to know about any symptoms you have.  Symptoms are the most important indicator for possible thyroid issues, followed by the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3.  You only were tested for Total T4 and Total T3, not Free T4 and Free T3.  Those tests show the total amount in your blood.  Most or that is bound to protein and therefore biologically inactive.  The small potion not bound to protein, thus called Free, is most important.  You should make sure they always test for the Free T4 and Free T3 every time you go in for tests.  Also, since your TSH was that high, you should get tested for the possibility of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  Most frequently the antibodies of Hashi's show up in the Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies test (TPO ab)  Less frequently it will show in the Thyroglobulin antibodies test (TG ab).  

[badsolanki]

my report thyroid funtion test
TSH- 15.0 mu/ml (0.4 - 6.8)
T3-  122.0 ng/dl (60-200)
T4- 5.3 mug% (4.5 -11.6)
age-24 years
what should i do for this

[parohuda]

Hi,
I have taken thyroid test in fasting and my lab results are as follows:
       value      Units   Reference range
T3 : 102        ng/dl   60-200
T4:   7.3        μg/dl   4.5-12.0
Tsh: 17.88     μiu/ml 0.30-5.5

Please help me whats my conditions and how to treat this TSH..

[Gayaneh]

My test results are T4 -8.6, TSH is 4.8 and I have positive answer for anti hormones, I used to take medicine then I stopped , shall I continue with this results and what's the right dosage, thank you

[ashokrohliwaljangra]

I am 33,  lab results are as follows:

T3 - 102.0
T4 - 7.40
TSH - 12.83

kindly guide me what to do and how to get TSH reduced to normal level.

[gimel]

Thyroid test results should always be compared to reference ranges shown on the lab report.  So please post those for the T3 and T4.  

Why did you decide to stop the medication?  What symptoms did you have before you stopped the med?  What symptoms do you have now?

[JOHN_JOE]

I am having Thyroxine 100 mg from last 5 years... I recently stopped taking tablets for about a month and did a check on TSH , T3 and T4.
The resuls are as follows :-
TSH - 11.21
T3 - 95  /ML
T4 -  4.6 /DL

KINDLY ADVICE WHAT TO DO PLEASE..

[gimel]

TSH is a pituitary hormone that is a poor initial diagnostic for thyroid.  TSH is frequently low or suppressed below range when taking doses of thyroid med adequate to relieve hypo symptoms.  So that is the likely explanation of your low TSH.  Still you also apparently have a low Free T4 level.  What is the reference range shown on the lab report for the T4 test?  Also, even more important than test results, please tell us about any symptoms you have.

[msbets2]

I have a T4 at 0.8 and a Tsh at 0.20 do I have a problem with the meds am on 125's

[gimel]

T3 reaches peak effect on serum levels in about 3-4 hours and then diminishes over the next few hours.   For that reason it is best to always split the dose and take in the morning and early afternoon to even out the effect.  Also, if you have blood drawn as you did, then you will likely get a false high result.  So it is also best to defer your med until after blood draw.  

In view of the above you really can't be sure of what your thyroid levels are.  But as noted previously, most people on adequate doses of desiccated thyroid med have a TSH that is suppressed to low end of range or below and Free T4 around the middle of its range, and free T3 in the upper end of its range, or slightly above.  

So in view of your symptoms and how you feel, I expect that you need to get our med dosage raised.  You also need to get your cortisol level optimized into the upper quarter of the range.   The only way that will help your thyroid status is if the low cortisol has caused some "pooling of T3" in your blood and causing a shortage of T3 in the cells throughout your body.  Be aware that if you are started on cortisol med, you should make sure your DHEA-S level is good.  Otherwise you will need to supplement with DHEA also.  

What is your current thyroid med dosage?

[des900]

TSH 3.31 - lab range 0.3-4.00
Free T3 5.8 - lab range 3.5-6.5
Free T4 15 - lab range 9-23

From this result your thyroid function is great and it should be and no need to make any change for thyroid medicine and dose and forget about TSH. Concerning low cortisol check for adrenal fatigue. Also look for vitamin D deficiency.

[Tamkin26]

I take the meds first thing in the morning and do not split them.  I had my blood drawn around lunch time so probably 5 hours after I took my meds.  I will post the result from the actual report for my cortisol once I get home - I don't have that information handy.  

I am not sure I completely understand the quoted text in your response but thank you for the quick and detailed response.

[gimel]

Forget the TSH result.  TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that at best it is only an indicator to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3.   When already taking thyroid hormone TSH is basically a wasted test, since it is so frequently suppressed to the low end of the range, or below when thyroid med dosage is adequate.  Note the words of a good thyroid doctor, " in tests done about 24 to 28 hrs after their last daily dose, most people on adequate NDT therapy have a suppressed TSH. They usually have FT4 levels that
are 1 to 1.3ng/dL, and free T3 levels that are rather high in the range or even slightly above the range."

Which raises the question whether you took your med before the blood draw for those tests?  Also do you split the dose into halves for morning and early afternoon doses?

Please post the actual cortisol test results and ranges shown on the lab report.

[Tamkin26]

I have been treated for Thyroid issues for the past 3 or 4 years, starting out on Synthroid.  I recently switched to a desiccated thyroid and my results are as follows:

TSH 3.31 - lab range 0.3-4.00
Free T3 5.8 - lab range 3.5-6.5
Free T4 15 - lab range 9-23

I have also had the 24 hour Saliva test done and found that my cortisol levels are less than 0.01.  My Naturopath path told me I should feel like a 90 year old with those cortisol levels and quite frankly I am pretty close to feeling that way!  I have also had both my antibodies tested and they both came back within range so he ruled out Hashi's.

My question is - since my Free T3 & T4 appear to be pretty normal, but my TSH is still higher than optimal - is my issue my Thyroid right now or do I need to focus on getting my Cortisol up and in turn that will fix my TSH levels?  

Thanks!

[Barb135]

What are the reference ranges for your T3 and T4?  Reference ranges vary from lab to lab and have to come from your own report.  Also, can you tell us if those are Free T3 and Free T4 or is they are Total T3 and Total T4? Free T3 and Free T4 are the most important, while Total T3 and Total T4 are considered obsolete and not real useful.

How many months pregnant are you?

[sarayita3]

I am 27 F  & pregnant lab results are as follows:
T3=5.05
T4=12.1
TSH =4.640

Please need help

[subramas]

I am 40 M y lab results are as follows:
Thyroid function test
T3-1.14; t4-10; TSH 21.46;    
Lipids
Total cholesterol 314.3; Tryglycerides 618.5; VLDL 123.7
Creatine 1.1

I am diabetic - Sugarlevels - Fasting - 183;  PPBS - 350
I am also hypertensive but BP is under control with medication.

People around me are I believe overly and unduly concerned. Should I also be concerned

[goolarra]

Your doctor has tested total T3 and total T4.  Next time, request the FREE T3 and FREE T4 tests; they tell you the amount of hormone actually available for your body to use.

Both your FT3 and FT4 are low of the midpoint or above that they should be.  So, it would seem that a meds increase is in order.  What are you currently taking?

How do you feel?  Do you still have hypo symptoms?