Difference between FT4 and T4

[karenros]

What is the difference between T4 and FT4..

My TSH levels are 0.22 (0.27 - 4.20) as of dec 22 2008
TBI 0.8 (0.2 - 1.9)
T4 10.5 (5.0 - 12.0)
Ft4I is 13.1 (4.4 - 11.4)

What happens if my T4 is normal and Ft4 is high???

any answers will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Karen


This discussion is related to TTC after thyroidectomy w/suppressed tsh?.

[karenros]

I am taking levoxyl 88mcg... I am not sure as to why doctor doesnt test FT3's and may be in my case he is just eyeing the TSH....

[gimel]

Your doctor seems to be doing a lot of the right things.  About the only thing I can add at the moment is to ask doctor to also check freeT3  (FT3) along with the FT4 and TSH.  I think you should also know FT3 level because it is 4 times as potent as FT4.  Also you didn't mention your current medication.

Hopefully other members with direct experience with some of your problems will notice this post and add to the discussion.

[karenros]

I was diagnosed with Papillary thyroid cancer in Mar 2007 and had my TT on mar 23 and then RAI in Apr 2007 and since then my endo does all these tests on me.. He wants to keep my levels very low because we dont want the cancer to come back too...

I had my first body scan soon after the RAI and everything was lit up like a christmas tree but my doc said not to worry about it now but he wanted to me to repeat the scan again in 6 -9 months which i didnt do cause we wanted to have baby and now its been a yr since we have started trying and there is no baby yet...

My thyroglobullin levels are undetectable until now so my doctor isnt that concerned about it... I will be having thyrogen shots some time next week and then they would check my thyroglobullin again to see if the cancer is come back it another way of doing it instead of the body scan...

The reason i asked this question is since me and hubby are trying to get pregnant and i am blaming it on my thyroid and while was doing some research today found that the Free T4 should in the normal range too..

i dont know what is a TBI test but my doctor is been doing that since we found out about the cancer..

[gimel]

My initial reaction to your question would be that in itself I wouldn't have any concern.  But, I sense there is more to the story that we need to know about.  What is the TBI test all about?  Have you been previously diagnosed with a thyroid problem?  Are you taking any medication for thyroid problems?