Thyroid disease possible with normal TSH, T3 & T4?

[suega]

Is it possible to have a thyroid disease with normal TSH, T3 & T4?  I have a positive ANA, muscle twithches, extreme fatigue (comes and goes like flare-ups), aches and pains.  I have just recently started feeling a little pressure in the front of my throat- not problems swallowing or anything, just a sensation that something is pushing on my lower throat.  In the past I have also suffered from palpatations and chest discomfort which all checked out okay with the cardiologist.  The neurologist says the muscle twitches are benign and was thinking thyroid until he saw my TSH, T3 & T4 were all normal.  Now to the rheumatologist to see what he can come up with.  I don't really have lupus symptoms such as mouth sores, malar rash, etc.

Any ideas?  Thanks in advance!

[gimel]

If your doctor hasn't tested you for the actual, biologically active thyroid hormones, free T3 and free T4, that needs to be done.  Note that these are not total T3 and total T4, which are somewhat obsolete and not very useful.  TSH is inadequate as a diagnostic because it is affected by so many variables.  At best it is an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and levels of FT3 and FT4.

FT3 is actually the most important test because FT3 is four times as active as FT4, plus studies have shown that FT3 correlates best with hypo symptoms.  Frequently we hear from members that symptom relief for them required that FT3 was adjusted into the upper part of its range and FT4 adjusted to at least midpoint of its range.  Symptom relief should be the focus of the doctor's efforts, not your TSH level.

[Larajm]

I was finally put on medication yesterday to see if it would help,i have sooo many symtoms of hypo,weight gain,hair loss, acne,chest pains,low end bp low temp hi cholesterol,fatigue but my tsh kept coming back "normal".it was in the 3's 2's last one was 1.92.i havent been getting my period and abdominal/pelvic pain,its been a nightmare.yesterday iasked for the antibody test and he said i was right we cant just focus on numbers when i have so many symtoms.so im doing a 6 week run on 50mg of synthroid.i feel like theres hope now!i want to be me again!!Lara

[goolarra]

Your symptoms are very hypo.  I suspect your doctor does not know much about thyroid disease since he is ordering obsolete tests.  He should be ordering free T3 and free T4.  I don't know why he's waiting a month...you are just going to be miserable for another month.  Is finding another doctor a possibility?

[hemasudhir]

Also I have neck pain, shoulder pain and backache. Am feeling very uneasy

[hemasudhir]

Hi

I feel sleepy. moreover i have put on 3 kgs weight since 6 months. Have joint pain and hair fall. Feel there is somthing in my throat and half the time I am hungry. I feel dizziness whenever i walk for 15 minutes or even if I am taking rest. Dont' know if these are related to hypothyroid.

[goolarra]

Your TT4 is very low, and that's exactly why you should be on medication.  

How do you feel?  Do you have many hypo symptoms?

When you go back in a month, make sure to ask your doctor to test free T3 and free T4.  These are much better tests for getting a complete thyroid picture.