Thyroid Woes

[FScott]

My thyroid lab results are as follows:

TSH: 1.21 mIU/L

T4(free): 1.2 ng/dL

Thyroid Peroxidase AB <10 IU/mL

Thyroglobulin AB 45 IU/mL

Everything is within range except for the thyroglobulin AB which should be below 20, according to my lab.  The endo said not to worry about it, not high enough to cause concern.  

However, I am concerned.  

Is this higher level okay as long as my T4 is normal, or could I have hypothyroid conditions regardless of my normal T4?

[Barb135]

Yes, your FT4 is in range, but it's not uncommon for people to begin having symptoms with FT4 at that level.  You really need to have an FT3 test done, as that's the biologically active hormone (FT4 must be converted to FT3 in order to be used).  My FT4 never did go completely out of range, but even in range, I had severe hair loss.  The thing is - symptoms correlate best with FT3 levels, not FT4; that's why the FT3 is so important.

Not sure where you read that Graves doesn't generally show up until later in life; that's not correct.  Both Graves and Hashimoto's can show up at any age, doesn't have to be when one is older.  If you were hyperthyroid earlier in life, you should also get a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSI) test done to check for Graves as well.  It's entirely possible for a person to have both Graves and Hashi's......

I am happy to hear that you are going to try to get further tests AND a different endo.  

[FScott]

Thanks so much for the information -

The lab range for the free T4 on my bloodwork says 0.8 - 1.8 ng/dL, so my result is 0.1 below the median of that.  I assumed that was an okay result but I'm really new with all of this.  

Hashimoto's is what I became concerned with upon doing further research.  I will look into getting further tests, with a different endo.  I read somewhere that certain thyroid conditions like Grave's disease generally don't present until somewhat later in life.  I wasn't sure if this was similar with Hashimoto's, as I am only 24.  However, I was hyperthyroid for a period of time around the age of 17, but it resolved itself so I was never treated.  

I actually went to the endo to have my hormones tested because I suspected some hair loss was going on.  So that could indicate hypothyroidism or it could just be because of severe stress and a medication that I had to take during the months prior to the subtle loss.  I assumed the T4 would have to be well out of range for my hair to be falling out.  Who knows.  

Again, thanks so much; I appreciate the support greatly.  

[Barb135]

What's the lab range for the Free T4?  You level seems rather low if compared to most ranges we see.  

I would be concerned about the elevated TGab, also.  Just because it's not outrageously high, doesn't mean you don't have issues.  Elevated TGab indicates that you could have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune disease in which, antibodies attack and eventually destroy the thryoid.  As time goes on, your thyroid will produce less and less hormone, so you will eventually become more hypothyroid.  

You need to have a Free T3 test done, along with the TSH and Free T4, and I would certainly want to keep an eye on the TPOab, since even though it's normal now, you may develop those antibodies. I'd also recommend that you get a thyroid ultra sound as well to check for nodules.  

What if any symptoms of hypothyroidism do you have? What prompted you to see an endo?  You might want to consider getting a different one, if this one refuses to test and treat properly.  In the meantime, you have the TG antibodies chomping merrily on your thyroid, and while you can't make them go away, by treating early, you may be able to alleviate symptoms.