Aa
drop in T4 and TSH - lab question
Hello, I was wondering if somebody could help explain my lab results. I have hypothyroidism and have been trying to get my TSH down from 10 since August.
In December, my TSH was at 2.57 and my free T4 was at 14.5 (ref: 11.5-22.7). In January my TSH was at 1.82 and my T4 was also down to 12.3. What does this mean? Shouldn't my T4 be going up as my TSH goes down or am I misssing something?
In December, my TSH was at 2.57 and my free T4 was at 14.5 (ref: 11.5-22.7). In January my TSH was at 1.82 and my T4 was also down to 12.3. What does this mean? Shouldn't my T4 be going up as my TSH goes down or am I misssing something?
Well, none of that raises any red flags in explaining why your TSH isn't "behaving" properly. However, it's not a huge variation in TSH, so my guess is that it's a "normal" aberration due to the volatility of TSH.
So many factors can affect TSH...stress, general health, menstrual cycle, etc, etc. That's why it's best to make meds adjustments based on FT4 and FT3 and symptoms, above all. Since your doctor is not testing FT3 (you should insist on this), it could be that fluctuations in FT3 are influencing your TSH as well.
How are you feeling? Has the drop in FT4 brought any hypo symptoms back?
TPOab and TGab blood tests will tell you if you have Hashi's. Although treatment is the same for all hypo, regardless of cause, it's valuable information to know if for no other reason than once we have one autoimmune disease we are more apt to get another.
So many factors can affect TSH...stress, general health, menstrual cycle, etc, etc. That's why it's best to make meds adjustments based on FT4 and FT3 and symptoms, above all. Since your doctor is not testing FT3 (you should insist on this), it could be that fluctuations in FT3 are influencing your TSH as well.
How are you feeling? Has the drop in FT4 brought any hypo symptoms back?
TPOab and TGab blood tests will tell you if you have Hashi's. Although treatment is the same for all hypo, regardless of cause, it's valuable information to know if for no other reason than once we have one autoimmune disease we are more apt to get another.
hi. Thanks for your response. I take Synthroid, 88 mcg. The bloods were drawn roughly the same time of day. I assume I have Hashi's because my condition is progressive (dose went from 25-88mcg), but no doctor has ever sent me for an antibody test so I can't be sure.
Theoretically, yes, as FT4 goes down, TSH should go up and vice versa. However, TSH is very volatile (it can even be affected by the time of day the blood was drawn) and is a pituitary hormone, so it can be affected by many factors other than thyroid hormone levles.
What thyroid meds do you take? Meds can have an effect on TSH.
Were both bloods drawn at the same time of day?
Do you know if you have Hashi's?
What thyroid meds do you take? Meds can have an effect on TSH.
Were both bloods drawn at the same time of day?
Do you know if you have Hashi's?
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.
