Question about Ft3 and Ft4

[Matt32]

From what I understad, Ft4 is converted into Ft3.  Would it make sense to have high TSH, normal Ft4, and low Ft3?  Right now I have somewhat high TSH (around 3) normal Ft4 (2.1) and am waiting on the results of my Ft3.

[laura1967]

When you say normal, do you mean in the low normal range....mid normal range....high normal range? Post your results from before including the lab ranges. If your T3 level is low it could be a conversion problem or rarely you could be pooling your T3 levels into reverse T3. It would be interesting to see all your numbers....oh and were they Free T4 and Free T3? Very important as the other types of t4 and t3 tests are obsolete in most cases.

[Matt32]

Here are the results that I have from May:

TSH:  3.6  (0.34-5.6)
Total T4:  8.0  (5.0-12.0)
T-Uptake:  33.6%  (32.0-48.4%)
Free Thyroxine Index:  7  (5-12 index)

And these from June:

TSH:  2.96 (0.39-4.6)
Free T4 by dialysis:  2.1  (0.8-2.7)

I just went to the doc on Thursday and asked for some more tests.  They sent me some results today, but they said they had to send out to another lab for some so I won't get those until next week.  

Here's what I have so far:

B-12:  749 (180-914)
Ferritin:  186.4 (23.9-336.2)
Testosterone:  630 (175-781)
Total T3:  1.2 (0.7-1.8)

I'm waiting on results for thyroid antibodies, and adrenal hormones (cortisol and DHEA).  I'm pretty sure I got him to order the test for Free T3 but I can't remeber for sure.  I had a whole list of tests I wanted but he seemed kind of reluctant.  I think I should switch doctors again, I think this guy is starting to think I'm nuts.

[stella5349]

Your total T3 count is useless. That is in bound T3 in your system that just sits there. Doesn't do much of anything.

Yes - hypothyroidism would gear towards a higher TSH and a lower FT3 level. FT4 numbers need to be compared to the FT3 counts

[Matt32]

Why don't doctors know any of this stuff?  Every doctor I go to just wants to diagnose based on TSH, and they don't even use the new TSH range!  I'll have to call them on Monday to make sure that they test for Free T3.

[stella5349]

Oh they know - but they just don't look at the whole picture at times.  It's "quick" treatment and Dx now a days and a patient MUST be their own advocant.

Thyroid disease is a "symptom" disease as well as a harm to other organs and hormones.

I feel fortunate that if I HAD to get any thing this is good. Thryroid disease will bring on symptoms to get a patient to LEARN about THEMselves and make them take care of the problems and the situation

A doctor won't really know unless you KNOW.

Did that make sense? It did in my head   LOL