high TSh normal T4

HIgh tsh and normal t4 is called euthyroid? or not?
only high  12.0 tsh and normal free t4 can be associated with abortion?

[goolarra]

I don't totally understand your questions.

What exactly is your TSH?

What is your FT4 and its reference range?

You have had miscarriages?

[Tristy]

I have Hypothyroidism, but my symptoms are hyper.  My TSH was a 13, retested at 11.8, my free T4 was normal low.  From what I have found, when your TSH is high, your pitutiary gland is telling your thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone because your body is low.   What symptoms are you having?

[Super_sally888]

High TSH and normal T4 is still hypothyroid.  This means you need thyroid hormone to reduce the TSH.

High TSH can be associated with miscarriage.  It will be important to take meds to get your TSH down (Low normal ideal - about 0.5 - 1.0 range).

Hope this helps

[goolarra]

I disagree with you that as a blanket statement "high TSH and normal T4 is still hypo".  If both FT3 and FT4 are in the normal range, but TSH remains high, then you have to start looking at symptoms.  If you have any hyper symptoms, you have to suspect a pituitary problem, or some other issue (of the hundreds) that makes TSH correlate so badly with symptoms.

High TSH, PER SE, is not associated with any ailment (including miscarriage).  It is only if high TSH reflects insufficinet FT3 and FT4 that it causes problems.

Also, a TSH of 0.5-1.0 is not a one-size-fits-all TSH.  Many of us would be absolutely miserable in that range.  Also, it's really important to de-emphasize TSH and focus on FT3 and FT4.  I'm convinced that once you find the FT3 that YOU FEEL GOOD AT, you can use it to adjust meds optimally.

Everyone knows about subclinical hypothyroidism...normal labs, but you feel terrible.  We hear this all the time.  However, I've been fighting long and hard to get some recognition for the opposite side of this coin...my TSH (23) makes me look sick, sick, sick, but my FT3 and FT4 are normal and I feel absolutely fine.  I have a pituitary issue.  My PCP attempted to kill me getting my TSH down to that "ideal" level.  It never will get there, I now know.  There are many others, who don't have a pituitary issue, who are also not comfortable at 0.5-1.0.  

It's all very individual.

[Smilerdeb]

I too am one of the 'oddballs' who doesnt do well if my TSH is under 2.3.......it feels like He// on Earth! lol.
My FT3 & FT4 are fine at present but the TSH is 2.55 and yet I STILL feel good.
My Doc agrees with everything in your posting.
Hes told me all along to 'forget ' the TSH until the FT3 & FT4 are fine and I am comfortable with it.I have had my TSH at 6.0 and its he// and also at 2.0 and its he//.
I think we all have different bodies and hence we all feel better at a TSH which is different to everyone else.
I always say....stick to what the Frees are first then work out the TSH after that.
I totally agree with your posting.
And I have no problem with the Pituitary either.

[philipposc_83]

Hello, i m a 61 y old woman that i have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but i had hyperthyroidism symptoms.The doctors have given me to take Euthyrox 50 mg. The laboratory findings were the follow:
TSH 7.47 miuIU/ml

FT4 0.95 ng/dl

FT3 3.29 pg/ml

What exactly  do i have?Any help appreciated

[goolarra]

Do you have the reference ranges for your FT3 and FT4?  All labs use different ranges, so they have to be from your lab report.

Are those labs before or after you started the 50 Euthyrox?

What were your symptoms before starting and have they improved/worsened?

[philipposc_83]

yes the normal levels for TSH are 0.35-5.50, for the FT4 is 0.89-4.20 and for the FT3 is 3.30-4.20.
These lab results were before i have started the euthyroid but the symptoms are improved.

[goolarra]

You have hypothyroidism.  Your TSH is above the range, which is currently accepted as 0.3-3.0.  Your lab is using an obsolete range (most labs do).  In addition, your FT4 is at the very bottom of the range and your FT3 is slightly below.  All this indicates a pretty classic case of hypo.

The 50 mcg Euthyrox you're on is an appropriate beginning.  I'm glad to hear that your symptoms are improving. You should have lab work again five to six weeks after starting the meds.  Your doctor will then be able to reevaluate and see if you need an increase or if the 50 mcg seems to be doing the trick.  

What were your hyperthyroid symptoms?

[sykor]

Your labs (and your age) are nearly identical to mine. I have had hyper symptoms (weight loss, palpitations, anxiety, frequent bowel movements) for the past 2 months. Is the Euthyrox effective against these problems? My endo says he doesn't  treat unless the TSH is over 10.

[goolarra]

What are your FT3, FT4 and TSH and their ranges?

[sykor]

My TSH is 7.49 (down on its own from 12.45 in early June), range of .40 - 4.50;
free t3 is 1.0 with a range of .8 -1.8,free t4 279 range of 230-420.
Also elevated thyroglobulin, 101 with a normal range of 2.0 to 35.0,
but no antibodies showing.
All this started with an evaluation for palpitations. I appreciate all the wisdom on this site-apparently this thyroid business is a tough knot to unravel.

[goolarra]

I'm adding another endo to my hit list...yours!

Any endo who doesn't treat until the TSH is over 10 should be fired immediately and without a backward glance.  He's a sadist!

Your symptoms are basically hyper.  However, your labs look distinctly hypo.  

It might be time to find an endo who will treat you.  Have you had thyroid antibody tests done (TPOab and TGab) to rule out or confirm an autoimmune disease?  If you have Hashi's, it could explain the contradiction between symptoms and labs to some extent.

[Shelljenkins]

My 1 yr old daughter has been struggling with constant diahreah & poor weight gain since she was born. She even lost weight at one point & came off the weight chart, so she didn't register at all. She's had numerous tests for cealiac disease, milk/lactose allergy/intolerance as we thought that was the problem & various other tests. They all came back normal. A recent test for her thyroid function showed there was a porblem. Her T4 is normal but her TSH is raised at 7.1mlU/L. All they have said to me is they will retest in 3 months time & do a thyroid auto antibodies test at the same time. They have told me to look for the symptoms: constipation, sleepiness or lethargy, dry skin and course hair.
I'm a bit confused. What has she got?

[Barb135]

Judging by her TSH, it would appear that she's hypothyroid, but without knowing what the levels of her Free T4 and Free T3 are, it's really impossible to say.  You are saying her T4 is normal --- is that Free T4 or Total T4 and what is the exact result, along with the lab's reference range?  Different labs use different ranges, so it's necessary to know where she falls in THAT range.  

Are you seeing the symptoms they told you to look for?

In my opinion, with a TSH of 7.1, they should not be waiting 3 months to retest.  They need to be looking NOW to find out what's wrong.  If her current doctor won't proceed at this point, I'd suggest that you find a different doctor -- maybe an endocrinologist who specializes in pediatric issues.  

[lakshmi16]

Hi,

My TSH level is 9.07 from the range mentioned (0.30 to 5.5) and my T3 is 2.53 out of (1.7 to 4.2) and T4 is 1.13 out of (0.70 to 1.80).I dont have kids.Planning for my pregenency .Please help.

[goolarra]

Your labs look a bit hypothyroid.  Currently accepted range for TSH is 0.3-3.0 according to AACE.  FT3 and FT4 are both in range, but lower than where many people are comfortable.  Many have to have midrange FT4 and upper half to upper third FT3 before feeling well.  

Have you had any thyroid antibody tests?  Are you on meds?  Do you have hypo symptoms?

[lakshmi16]

I dont have any thyroid antibody tests.I am not consuming any meds.I feeling completley fine.I reduced my weight by 2 kgs.Can you tell me more clearly about hypo symptoms.

[goolarra]

I think it might be worthwhile to have thyroid antibody tests (TPOab and TGab) to see if you are in the initial stages of autoimmune disease.

Hypo symptoms emcompass a very long list...the most common, I would say, include fatigue and/or drowsiness, weight gain, depression, "brain fog", memory problems, constipation, etc.  You can google and get a complete list.

Your TSH is quite high, indicating hypo.  However, TSH is a pituitary hormone and influenced by any number of factors in the hypothalamus/pituitary/thyroid axis.  If you're considering conceiving, I think it might be a good idea to determine a cause for the high TSH, even if you are feeling well at the moment.  It could forestall several problems down the road when pregnancy and childbirth will be taxing your thyroid even more.

If you have antibodies tested, ask for a repeat of the FT3, FT4 and TSH at the same time.  If you are in the initial stages of autoimmune, your TSH could be fluctuating considerably.

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

if you are considering getting pregnant you need to reduce your TSH (by taking thyroid meds) with the target between 0.3 - 2.0.  FT3 and FT4 should also be in the upper half of the reference range.  This is important for a healthy pregnancy and normal developmetn of the baby.

If you do get pregnant the meds will need to be increased during the pregnancy, with monthly blood tests.

[edd555]

Hi,
my I don't know anything about TSH,but my baby is a downs syndrome child and they sometimes have thyroid problem. the result of his TSH is 7.49 MIU/L and the reference range is 0.68-25.0 MIU/L. Can somebody tell me is it normal?

[goolarra]

Would you check the range again on your TSH, please?  That's a very unusual TSH range.

Do you have any other results besides TSH?  Free T3 or free T4?

[Bren75]

I need help.  My original Thyroid tests were:
FT4  0.90           lab range ( 0.77-1.61)
TSH Sensitive  10.11 High     lab range (0.34 -4.82)

Started on Cytomel  1 month later lab results:
Ft4 0.65 Low   (0.77 0 1.61)
TSH 5.23 High  (0.34 - 4.82)  

I was put on a half tab of cytomel and now he wants me to continue the half tab but 2 days a week take a whole tab.  I am to come back next month to retest levels.     I think I should take a whole tab but I am concerned my ft4 was lowered.  It was normal but now its low.  My Tsh was high but it did drop to a better level on the Cytomel.  
I have tried Synthroid but didn't care for that.  I don't recall what my results were on it.  I quit it cause I felt it gave me a dull headache.  SO I started over with the above tests.....    I was off my synthroid for @ 2 mths before the first lab and then started on Cytomel.    

Brenda

[flyingfool]

check out your other thread as some responses to your identical post are there.

Being treated with T3 med only is odd.  Usually only after all else has failed and usually only added to a T4 med for folks who have problem converting T4 to T3.

[MSFSU]

Drs are so quick to medicate these days using only the knowledge gained from their latest luncheon or golf game with a drug dealer/sales rep. For instance, mine wants to put me on meds because I have a slightly elevated (6.9) TSH, but NORMAL T3 and T4. What a quack! If T3 and T4 are normal and I have no symptoms (e.g., lethargy), what the heck would I take meds for?

[grantj]

Yeah, that doesn't make sense to me why you would go on meds if you don't need to.  Besides, once on meds, it is hard to get off them.  Then what, you are stuck the rest of you life perhaps;  when you really never needed it to begin with?  UGGH!  No thanks.  

Personally, if you feel fine and are having no symptoms and FT's are decent, I would ignore it.  Now, some on this forum may say otherwise, as I am no expert by no means.  As a doc, though, he may have some reasonable rationale for the meds that we are not fully aware of here.

[goolarra]

The most likely explanation is that your doctor, like many, treats by TSH only.  Many of them never see beyond TSH, even if they order FT3 and FT4 testing.  Of course, I am in no way condoning that.

One thing to bear in mind is that many people are not asymptomatic (not your case, apparently) intil FT4 is midrange and FT3 upper range.  This is not the case for everyone, but it is for many of us.

Another possibility is that you have Hashi's (have your antibodies ever been tested?).  It can take years or even decades before antibodies cause enough damage to cause symptoms.  When to start treatment is a controversial topic.  Some feel that starting before symptoms appear can forestall some of the less pleasant aspects of the disease while others feel that symptom relief is the only reason to start treatment.  

I hate to take anything as well, and you should certainly not allow your doctor to start you on meds based on TSH only.  

[shuchi85]

my TSH level is 4.89 and T4 is 1.0 and I am 13 weeks pregnant... is it required to start any medication?

[oldie]

Over three yeras I have tried all doses of Levo from zero to 150 for at least six weeks each before tests. Results in general have been within  the normal lab ranges but NEVER ONCE has my FT3 level been above the lower third or less. What's left to try? Maybe I don't convert T4?

[goolarra]

We are not doctors on this forum, but fellow patients.

Your TSH is elevated, and your FT4 is at the low end of the range.  Ranges vary lab to lab, so you should make sure that your range is what I am assuming (approximately 0.8-1.8).  You should discuss starting thyroid meds with your obstetrician or have him refer you to an endocrinologist.  Maternal hypothyroidism can cause developmental problems for your baby.  

[goolarra]

Hello, there!

You obviously do not convert well.  I wonder if that has something to do with age...perhaps as we get older we run lower levels of FT3?  Actually, my FT3 runs pretty low as well, but I feel well.  How are you feeling?  Perhaps you don't really need your FT3 higher???

[kari510]

Hello, i just got my blood test  results from my annual check up and dr told me that i am having tyroid problems.

THS 4.510
T4 8.2
T3 Uptake 30%
Free Thyroxine Index 2.5

I am 27 female no health problems. Is it true that my thyroid is high? thanks

[goolarra]

I have to ask you to be a bit more specific before I comment.

Is your T4 test free T4 or total T4?  If it doesn't specifically say "free", then it's total.  Also, please supply the referene range from your own lab report.  Ranges vary lab to lab, so you have to post range with result.

T3 Uptake is considered an obsolete test, of limited value.  It has been replaced by FREE T3.  However, please supply the range for that as well.  Likewise, FTI is also considered obsolete.

One general comment:  Your doctor seems to be ordering outdated tests, which would indicate that s/he might not be super weill-informed on thyroid.

I'll comment further after you've clarified.  Thanks.