Aa
Understanding teen lab report
Hello I have a 17 year old recently had a thyroid screen his t3 is elevated but ft4 normal could this be something? He has been having palpatatuon rapid heart beat normal cardiac work up also he has had attention deficit since 3 grade if he has a thyroid disorder could he been misdiagnosed with add for this long
Your son's FT4 is really quite low. Based on when many of us find relief of our symptoms, FT4 often has to be about 50% of range, and his is only 21%.
That's a total T3, not a FREE T3, which is unfortunate because FT3 is a much more useful test. TT3 is quite high. TT3 tells the total amount of T3 in the blood. However, much of that is chemically bound by protein and unavailable to cells. FT3 tells what's available.
Our thyroids make T4, but that's a "storage" form of the thyroid hormones. Before cells can use it, T4 has to be converted to T3, the "active" form of the thyroid hormones.
Two things that strike me as possibilities that could explain his high TT3: #1 - Various factors can cause more or less T3 to be bound rather than free. One of those factors is certain meds, so it could be his meds. So, it is possible that his TT3 is high, but his FT3 isn't. Next time around, ask for both tests. #2 - Sometimes as our thyroids start to fail, we "overconvert" T4 to T3. It's kind of the body's way of trying to compensate for a failing thyroid. Since your son's FT4 is quite low, he might be in that stage. Eventually, the body will no longer be able to compensate.
The pedi endo might want to order antibody tests to see if your son is in the early stages of autoimmune thyroid disease. TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibodies) would rule out or confirm Hashi's (hypo, except in early stages); TSI would confirm Graves' (hyper).
That's a total T3, not a FREE T3, which is unfortunate because FT3 is a much more useful test. TT3 is quite high. TT3 tells the total amount of T3 in the blood. However, much of that is chemically bound by protein and unavailable to cells. FT3 tells what's available.
Our thyroids make T4, but that's a "storage" form of the thyroid hormones. Before cells can use it, T4 has to be converted to T3, the "active" form of the thyroid hormones.
Two things that strike me as possibilities that could explain his high TT3: #1 - Various factors can cause more or less T3 to be bound rather than free. One of those factors is certain meds, so it could be his meds. So, it is possible that his TT3 is high, but his FT3 isn't. Next time around, ask for both tests. #2 - Sometimes as our thyroids start to fail, we "overconvert" T4 to T3. It's kind of the body's way of trying to compensate for a failing thyroid. Since your son's FT4 is quite low, he might be in that stage. Eventually, the body will no longer be able to compensate.
The pedi endo might want to order antibody tests to see if your son is in the early stages of autoimmune thyroid disease. TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibodies) would rule out or confirm Hashi's (hypo, except in early stages); TSI would confirm Graves' (hyper).
Sorry no other labs besides bcc and chemistry we are going to a pediatric endocrine doc Monday. This is just from his pediatrician. They thought maybe from his add med but he takes such a low dose for sow long it's so unlikely and then wanted to rule out cardiac which we did already. The ranges in the ft4 are .77-2.19 and the t3 are .97-1.69
The ft4 was normal the t3 is 2.070. The ft4 is 1.07 in range. No other symptoms besides the palpatstions. He said he is really
Tired in the evening but that's about all really
Tired in the evening but that's about all really
Please post the actual results of his FT3 and FT4 with reference ranges. Ranges vary lab to lab, so they have to come from his own lab report.
Any other hyper symptoms? Weight loss (or inability to gain), insomnia, fatigue, diarrhea, hand tremors, etc.? Palps are often a thyroid symptom.
Did his doctor run an antibody test (TSI - thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin)?
Any other hyper symptoms? Weight loss (or inability to gain), insomnia, fatigue, diarrhea, hand tremors, etc.? Palps are often a thyroid symptom.
Did his doctor run an antibody test (TSI - thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin)?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
