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results?

FT3 is near borderline high, 3.2 out of 1.5 - 3.5
FT4 normal at 1.0 out of 0.6 - 1.5
TSH is 3.3 out of 0.4 - 4.2
TSH from a month ago is 1.9 out of 0.4 - 4.2
A thyroid ultrasound is also normal, but I am experiencing almost all the symptoms of hyperthyroidism with a family history of thyroid problems. I have an appointment with family doctor tomorrow, but with these results I think he won't do anything. Any suggestions?
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Avatar universal
I think you have to ask him to explain the inconsistencies (if he wants to ignore it).

FT4 is low normal.  TSH is pretty much what you'd expect with your FT4.  But FT3 is 90% of range...that's high, and most of us would be feeling hyper by then.

A year to a year and a half is a long time to be experiencing the "active" (hyper) phase of Hashi's.  

I'd ask for further testing.  TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin) is the antibody responsible for Graves'.  I doubt that's the case, but it's best to formally rule it out.  TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibody) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibody) are the two makers for Hashi's, and you have to test both as some of us are TPOab positive, some TGab positive and some both.  You understand that we just want to exclude those as possibilities.

If those all come back negative, then there are more areas to explore...other hormones (for example, high testosterone levels can increase T4 to T3 conversion).

I'd just really hammer him to explain that very high FT3 with FT4 and TSH almost bordering on hypo.  Your FT3 explains your symptoms.  Something's going on.

Could you pin down some of your family members and find out exactly what their thyroid problems are?  Any family history (specific) could also bolster your case.  
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Avatar universal
Thanks for that response!!

So far I've had the more major symptoms for about 1 year to 1.5 years, before that I've only been underweight (well, still am -- 5'10 and only 120lb male, hasn't changed for a good 6 years or so). I've never had any hypo symptoms.  I'm not on any meds, only taking some vitamin D3 and calcium (I'm deficient in D). No other known health issues either... I'm mostly worried that the doctor is simply going to say everything is within range and do nothing
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Avatar universal
Your FT4 is at 44% of range, which is a little low of the 50% guideline.  However, your FT3 is at 90% of range, which is on the high side.  

AACE recommended many years ago that TSH reference range be changed to 0.3-3.0.  As you can see, labs have not been quick to adopt this new range.  Using 0.3-3.0, your TSH would be considered slightly hypo.

So, we have some contradictions here.  Your high FT3 could definitely be giving you the hyper symptoms you are having.

By far, the most prevalent cause of hyper is Graves' disease.  However, your high TSH and lowish FT4 pretty much preclude Graves'.  With Graves', TSH is usually very low to non-existent.  Another cause of high FT3 can be a toxic nodule, also called a toxic adenoma, but a clear U/S precludes that as well.

Another cause can be Hashitoxicosis.  Hashi's is ultimately hypothyroidism, but in the early stages it can be hyper or swing from hypo to hyper.  

How long have you had these symptoms?  Do you ever have swings to hypo symptoms?

Thyroid 101:  All T4 is made in the thyroid, and a very small amount of the T3 we need is made there, too.  Most, by far, of the T3 we use comes from conversion of T4 to T3.  Much of that happens in the liver and kidneys, but there are numerous sites throughout the body where it occurs.

With your low normal T4 and high T3, we have to wonder why you are converting so much T3.  Do you take any meds or supplements?  Any other known health issues?        

  

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Avatar universal
misspelled fast up there^
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Avatar universal
Fatigue, heat intolerance, fasting resting heart beat, no weight gain, nervousness, irritability, anxiety, hand tremors, difficulty sleeping, hair thinning, skin thinning, poor concentration

As far as family, I only know it is thyroid related. My grandfather on mother's side, my mother, all her siblings, and pretty sure a cousin are the affected ones.

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Avatar universal
Please list your symptoms.

Does your family have autoimmune thyroid disease?
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