Ths w/reflex to ft4

[thedean]

I am 35 white male. About 6 monthe ago I got the flu where for about a week I did not eat much, I ended up loosing about 10 pounds. When i got better I decided to continue the weight loss I was 235 @ 5'10". I started to try to eat better and I lost weight was very easy. I dropped to 190 with in 4 months. I started to feel weak and very moody. I would get very sad or angry for very little reasons. I also noticed joint pain in my hands and shoulders and ankles. I went to the doctor to get a physical and the only thing that came back abnormal was a test called "Tsh W/Reflex To Ft4" I was at 7.11 according to the paper normal is 0.40-4.50. I am going in to have a radiation test on my thyroid soon. What it the Tsh test for and what can i expect to happen in the future.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

TSH elevation may mean low thyroid.  This result is not an indication for a nuclear medicine test.  I would repeat the lab 6 weeks after initial test to make sure it was not a transient thyroid problem.  If there is a concern for a nodule or thyroid enlargement, the ultrasound is the preferred next test.  

reflex to t4 means the T4 is tested if the TSH is not normal.