Low free t 4 results

[Tatty10]

What does a low free t4 normal free t 3 and normal tsh mean?

[ladytelita]

Hmmm, well it could be a sign of Hashi's. Someone with more knowledge will confirm this I'm sure. Do you have to get it re-checked? Are you being treated or is this a first test?

[Tatty10 in reply to ladytelita]

Hi i have large multinodular toxic goiter awaiting surgery date, taking carbimazole, but feeling hypo, starting to put weight on tired and depressed

[PinkNinja]

Conversion of T4 to T3 tends to increase as you become hypo in order to try and compensate for lack of thyroid hormones. When you say your T3 and TSH are normal, what are the actual results (with reference ranges if you have them ) They may be in the normal range but you may be heading towards the hypo endo of the spectrum in which case a reduction of carbimazole might be a good idea.

Your symptoms do sound as if you are hypo now

Carolyn x

[Tatty10 in reply to PinkNinja]

Hi carolyn my results are tsh 3.845(0.350-5.500) free t4 0.63. (0.8-1.9) free t3 3.57 (1.4-4.4) i get more confused every time i have these blood tests endo says the results are normal but i dont feel normal

[PinkNinja in reply to Tatty10]

Your TSH is definitely high in range. This suggests you are hypothyroid but many doctors won't treat hypothyroidism until it goes above the range and some won't even treat until it is above 10! It seems you are getting treated in a similar way with your hyperthyroidism. Because your TSH is in range (albeit rather high in range) they don't want to reduce your dose. You could ask thought. They might agree.

I am quite convinced, although I'm not a doctor so I could be wrong, that you are veering towards hypothyroidism on this dose of carbimazole. It might be wise to ask for a reduction in your carbimazole with a view to increasing again should you become hyperthyroid. You may only need a small reduction to be well again.

Although they are saying your results are normal, to me they look far from normal. Your T4 is low. That is not normal! I suspect your body is converting to T3 at a much higher rate because your body knows it's not getting enough thyroid hormone. This seems to happen in the earlier stages of hypothyroidism when the body is compensating. This would explain your ok T3 levels despite having low T4.

I hope you manage to convince them to slightly reduce your dose. Hopefully you will feel better for it.

Carolyn x

[Tatty10 in reply to PinkNinja]

Thanks carolyn, seeing the surgeon in 2 weeks hopefully will not have to wait to long for a date for my op, then i expect i will be having a struggle to get the correct dose of levo

[PinkNinja in reply to Tatty10]

All the best with the op. If you have trouble getting the right dose after the op, do let us know and we will do our best to point you in the right direction