Low t3 but normal t4 and normal tsh?

[shelly0775]

I had thyroid surgery almost 2 years ago and returning back to the board for help. My doctor removed half of my thyroid due to change in nodules. Now my md thinks something is going on with the other half. I am eating like crazy but losing weight, cold hands, alway tired, and thinning hair. I went from 130 now to 115 in 1 1/2 weeks. The more I eat the more I lose. I went for ultrasound the other day and now waiting for results of that but my blood work came back low t3 but normal tsh and t4. I really don't want to take any meds due to intolerance to all meds but if it comes to it then I guess I have to. My symtoms are hyper but my blood work show hypo(I think according to the range)? CAn this happen?

[ZUE77]

29KC-THYROIS PROFILE C

T3              2.19         NMOL/L  1.23-3.38
TSH           0.28   L    UIU/ML    0.30-5.10
FREE T4   19.1          PMOL/L  11.5-22.7

NEED EXPLAINATION, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE REPORT..

[shelly0775]

Hi, I'm back. I got my second blood work back and it came back normal. I don't know why but soon as I get the report later today or tomorrow, I wil post numbers. On the other note my ultrasound came back abnormal on the remaining side so more test will be done and maybe biospy. I really don't want biospy because the first one scared me being that my throat closed up. Had a bad reaction to the numbing medication. I am hoping if I do have to do it,but if I have to then hopefully there is other numbing medication available. I know what to expect but having a bad reaction the first time is just in the back of my mind. Also I have problems with lympth nodes on that same side with the abnormality. We're thinking about removing that lympth node if progresses more. I keeps swelling on and off with a hard lump. Let you know more as I get more information.

[laura1967]

You don't have to fast for thyroid labs. Also you are having obsolete tests done for T3. You should be having Free T3, Free T4 and TSH done. Remember to NOT take thyroid meds before having blood drawn.
You also need to have antibody tests done for Hashimoto's and Grave's Thyroid Autoimmune diseases. If you have Hashi's, it would explain your hypo symptoms with a TSH of anything over a 1.0.

[shelly0775]

I just got copy of my lab and here's the results:
tsh is 2.19 reference range is 0.35-5.5
total t3 is 1.67 reference range is 0.6-1.8
t3 uptake 19 reference range is 22.5-37

I am still waiting for the results of the ultrasound. Labs will be done again next week to double check, also I did not fast for this blood work being that it was stat due to weight loss. There was other blood work done with the thyroid blood test and being that I ate breakfast, I have to do the others again. I have appointment next week to talk with my md about this. I know for sure meds are out of the question being that I can not take them due to intolerance to all oral meds.

[laura1967]

Hi Shelly and welcome! If you could, would you please post your lab numbers with ranges so we can take a look at them before we comment? Normal doesn't always mean normal. Have you been tested for Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroid disease??