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Low T4, normal TSH
My TSH levels are normal but my T4's are low. Not sure what this means since if my pituitary glands are producing enough TSH what is happening to make my T4's low?
Doctor wants we to take a THS 3rd generation and a CBC and basic Metab panel.
I have all the symptoms of hypothyroid, depression, fatigue weight gain, joint pain, have cold hands and feet and got grey hair at a very early age as well as suffered infertility but she has not mentioned that and just told me to take these additional tests, so I am confused.
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Doctor wants we to take a THS 3rd generation and a CBC and basic Metab panel.
I have all the symptoms of hypothyroid, depression, fatigue weight gain, joint pain, have cold hands and feet and got grey hair at a very early age as well as suffered infertility but she has not mentioned that and just told me to take these additional tests, so I am confused.
.
.
Best Answer
I think the most important information (your symptoms) has already established that you are hypo. The FT3 and FT4 tests will further confirm that, by their being in the lower part of their reference ranges. These tests then further useful as markers to show your progress as you start taking thyroid meds and progress to symptom relief.
There is no reason to wait around for help to get better. I am sure you would like to get on with this, so I am sending a PM with info on some LV doctors that you can read about and decide which ones to try to see. Then you can push for an early appointment.
From the info given on the doctors, you should not have any problem getting the testing and treatment you need, but go in prepared to insist, if necessary, on all those tests and a prescription for thyroid meds as a starter dose.
From the info given on the doctors, you should not have any problem getting the testing and treatment you need, but go in prepared to insist, if necessary, on all those tests and a prescription for thyroid meds as a starter dose.
Thank you for the quick response. Yes, the thyroglobulin was the test for antibodies.
I live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I really like my endo, they are great at caring for my Type 1 Diabetes, but would also love suggestions. Endocrinoligist specialize in thyroid function, right?
I've never asked for more tests, so I might call before my next check up (1.5 months) and ask to come in sooner because of these symptoms.
I live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I really like my endo, they are great at caring for my Type 1 Diabetes, but would also love suggestions. Endocrinoligist specialize in thyroid function, right?
I've never asked for more tests, so I might call before my next check up (1.5 months) and ask to come in sooner because of these symptoms.
Is that thyroglobulin test for antibodies?
Your experience is a familiar one. The doctors have been trained and like to believe that TSH basically tells them all they need to know about your thyroid status. That is very wrong. TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that at best it is only an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms, and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3. It is important ot know both Free T4 and Free T3 because Free T3 best correlates with hypo symptoms, whilce TSH and Free T4 do not correlate.
You were not tested for Free T3, and you should insist on both Free T4 and free T3 each time you go in for tests. Your Free T4 is at rock bottom of the range, which is inadequate. I expect that you will also find that your free T3 is too low in the range. In the words of a good thyroid doctor, "The free T3 is not as helpful in untreated persons as the free T4 because in the light of a rather low FT4 the body will convert more T4 to T3 to maintain thyroid effect as well as is possible. So the person with a rather low FT4 and high-in-range FT3 may still be hypothyroid. However, if the FT4 is below 1.3 and the FT3 is also rather low, say below 3.4 (range 2 to 4.4 at LabCorp) then its likely that hypothyroidism is the cause of a person's symptoms."
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and free T3 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just lab test results, and especially not TSH results. You can get some good insight from this link and also give a copy to your doctor for discussion.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
In addition, hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin. That can cause symptoms that are similar to being hypo. Low D and low ferritin also affects metabolism of thyroid hormone. So D should be about 55-60, B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin should be about 60 minimum for ladies. You need to get those tested as well, and supplement as necessary to raise those to optimal.
Since you are trying to conceive, all these things need to be discussed with your doctor and then you should request a starter dose of thyroid medication to start raising your Free T4 and Free T3 (I expect). You also need to find out if your doctor is going to be willing to treat clinically, as described above. If not, then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so. If you will tell us your location, perhaps we can suggest a doctor that has been recommended by thyroid patients.
Your experience is a familiar one. The doctors have been trained and like to believe that TSH basically tells them all they need to know about your thyroid status. That is very wrong. TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that at best it is only an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms, and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3. It is important ot know both Free T4 and Free T3 because Free T3 best correlates with hypo symptoms, whilce TSH and Free T4 do not correlate.
You were not tested for Free T3, and you should insist on both Free T4 and free T3 each time you go in for tests. Your Free T4 is at rock bottom of the range, which is inadequate. I expect that you will also find that your free T3 is too low in the range. In the words of a good thyroid doctor, "The free T3 is not as helpful in untreated persons as the free T4 because in the light of a rather low FT4 the body will convert more T4 to T3 to maintain thyroid effect as well as is possible. So the person with a rather low FT4 and high-in-range FT3 may still be hypothyroid. However, if the FT4 is below 1.3 and the FT3 is also rather low, say below 3.4 (range 2 to 4.4 at LabCorp) then its likely that hypothyroidism is the cause of a person's symptoms."
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and free T3 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just lab test results, and especially not TSH results. You can get some good insight from this link and also give a copy to your doctor for discussion.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
In addition, hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin. That can cause symptoms that are similar to being hypo. Low D and low ferritin also affects metabolism of thyroid hormone. So D should be about 55-60, B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin should be about 60 minimum for ladies. You need to get those tested as well, and supplement as necessary to raise those to optimal.
Since you are trying to conceive, all these things need to be discussed with your doctor and then you should request a starter dose of thyroid medication to start raising your Free T4 and Free T3 (I expect). You also need to find out if your doctor is going to be willing to treat clinically, as described above. If not, then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so. If you will tell us your location, perhaps we can suggest a doctor that has been recommended by thyroid patients.
Hi! Sorry to reply on this super old thread (just randomly found this page on google search for thyroid help) You seem to answer everyone. :)
I've gone to 2 doctors to look at my thyroid. They say even though my antibodies are high, my thyroid is still holding its own.
Free T4: 0.8 (range 0.8 - 1.8)
TSH: 1.49 (range: 0.4 to 4.5)
Thyroglobulin: 594 (range is 0-1.0)
I have been trying to conceive for 6 months, and with my 1 st child is was easy as can be to conceive.
Over a year ago I had levels for hyperthyroidism, but it leveled itself out, so I was never put on meds.
Now a year later- I feel tired. I keep thinking for sure I am pregnant because of how tired I am. I've gained a little bit of weight even though my diet had not changed and I started a vigrous workout routine 2x/week.
My skin is a little dryer, and I'm usually cold when others are not. My cholesterol is also rising, and vitamin D is low (not sure if that matters).
I have type 1 diabetes, but my a1c is good, and I know it is more common in type 1 to get hypo or hasimotos.
I really want to get pregnant and feel tired from being pregnant, and not feel tired for who knows why! :(
Have you ever seen any hypos with a ft4 of 0.8? I've already gone to 2 doctors, and I am not sure what else to do.
I've gone to 2 doctors to look at my thyroid. They say even though my antibodies are high, my thyroid is still holding its own.
Free T4: 0.8 (range 0.8 - 1.8)
TSH: 1.49 (range: 0.4 to 4.5)
Thyroglobulin: 594 (range is 0-1.0)
I have been trying to conceive for 6 months, and with my 1 st child is was easy as can be to conceive.
Over a year ago I had levels for hyperthyroidism, but it leveled itself out, so I was never put on meds.
Now a year later- I feel tired. I keep thinking for sure I am pregnant because of how tired I am. I've gained a little bit of weight even though my diet had not changed and I started a vigrous workout routine 2x/week.
My skin is a little dryer, and I'm usually cold when others are not. My cholesterol is also rising, and vitamin D is low (not sure if that matters).
I have type 1 diabetes, but my a1c is good, and I know it is more common in type 1 to get hypo or hasimotos.
I really want to get pregnant and feel tired from being pregnant, and not feel tired for who knows why! :(
Have you ever seen any hypos with a ft4 of 0.8? I've already gone to 2 doctors, and I am not sure what else to do.
I wouldn't normally expect that a person with those lab results would be hypothyroid; however, symptoms are even more important than test results, and she has symptoms that are frequently related to being hypothyroid. Assuming those labs represent her supplementing with glandulars and iodine, what were her lab test results before starting on those?
Please advise My 17 year old daughter has had weight gain,lethargy,depressed mood Exercises every day and eats a very strict diet with no weight loss in 9 months naturopaths have been supplementing OTC glandulars and Iodine for hypothyroid but Doctor says no thyroid but testing for Adrenal Fatigue
TSH 1.0 Range (0.4-4.0)
ft4 16 Range (10-20)
ft3 5.7 Range (2.8-6.8)
TSH 1.0 Range (0.4-4.0)
ft4 16 Range (10-20)
ft3 5.7 Range (2.8-6.8)
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