TSH low end of normal, hyperthyroid symptoms...

[lindsay0891]

My thyroid has been checked, and most recently my TSH was 0.6. My T4 was normal on that paper but I was once told it was borderline high. Not sure about my T3.
I have IBS-like symptoms (frequent bowel movements, painful gas), anxiety, fast heartbeat, heart palpitations, need to eat about every two hours, feel more awake at night (I do sleep for a long time though, which I don't think is consistent with hyperthyroid, although it may be from my antidepressant), low tolerance for heat, and some lightheadedness. Had some hairloss in the summer but it has slowed down a lot, and I am seeing more veins than I used to in my hands, wrists, and face which tells me my skin may be thinning. Oh, and I used to be a caffeine junkie, now I have a pretty low tolerance for caffeine. Used to drink a few cups of coffee or two energy drinks plus some diet sodas every day (not healthy, I know), now I drink part of one diet soda a day.
Any advice?

[lindsay0891]

*since April, not in April

[lindsay0891]

Thanks. I'm not sure about the iron, I think it was serum iron. My parathyroid was tested and is normal, although I'm not sure what the level was.

I'm just really at a loss. I have so many symptoms and I've been going through this in April. It seemed to start with a virus.

[gimel]

You may have to take Vitamin D supplements to get your level into the upper half of the range, which is the suggested level.  Was the iron you mentioned serum iron, or ferritin?  Ferritin will sometimes show a problem before it starts to show in the other iron tests.  I'd keep an eye on the calcium.  A friend sent through  parathyroid surgery recently, after having been undiagnosed for years.  Her surgeon, who only performs parathyroid surgery, told her that repeated calcium tests that were 10 or over, were a cause for more intensive evaluation for possible parathyroid issues.  

She was found to have a bean sized tumor on one parathyroid gland.  As I understand, that parathyroid gland was producing 10 times as much PTH as normal, causing the other three to basically go dormant.  Even with that her calcium was only showing around 10.1 and occasionally a bit higher.  Not trying to alarm you, just trying to encourage you to make sure all is well there.  
    

[lindsay0891]

I have had most of those... vitamin D was on the lower end of normal (30.5, I believe) but I have been taking multivitamins, B12 was right in the middle of the normal range, same with iron. Calcium is actually very slightly high (10.4) but my parathyroid is normal so doctors aren't concerned about it since it hasn't changed and isn't high enough to cause symptoms.

[gimel]

The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is ordered to help screen for autoimmune disorders, in general.  It does not identify a specific disorder.  The specific test for Graves' is the TSI test.  

The Total T4 test is not nearly as useful as the Free T4 test.  The Total test estimates the total level  of T4 in your blood.  Most of that is bound to protein molecules and thereby not active. The same goes for Total T3 and Free T3.   Only the unbound  (free)  portion is biologically active.  Also, the value of T4 is mainly as a source for conversion by the body, to T3.  Free T3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  

So, along with the TSI test, I suggest that in the future, you should make sure they always test for Free T3 and Free T4 each time.  Other tests I think you should ask about are Vitamin D, B12, ferritin, and a full iron test panel, and calcium.

[lindsay0891]

Thanks. After looking at the blood work again my free T4 is 1.44 on a scale of 0.82-1.77. It's my total T4 that's borderline high. I have been tested for ANA antibodies, would that show Grave's Disease?

[gimel]

With those symptoms, I think you should ask to be tested for the possibility of Graves' Disease.  The specific test for Graves' is the Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulin  (TSI) test. I would also suggest that each time you go for new tests you should make sure they test you for both of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and Total T4).  You will need to know levels for both of the Frees, as you proceed with treatment.