My daughter, who is 37 and has Down Syndrome, has somewhat high free T3 and her TSH is creeping up. This doesn't make sense??

[maryfran33]

She has been on the same dosage of T4 for 25 years.

[PinkNinja]

Do you have the blood test results so we can have a look?

It may be that she needs her pituitary gland checked out. It might be that it is producing too much TSH for some reason which is causing the high T3. If this is the case, it will need investigating.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Carolyn x

[maryfran33 in reply to PinkNinja]

Thanks for all the responses! My daughter's TSH was 3.24 (range 0.40-4.50). The free T4 was 1.6 (range 0.8 - 1.8). The free T3 was 5.5 (range 2.3 - 4.2). I also believe that she is in perimenopause, even though she is only 37. Her LH and FSH levels indicate this. I wonder how much lower estrogen and/or progesterone levels affect the thyroid hormone levels. Her symptoms, for the most part, are indicative of hypothyroidism. (fatigue, increased hair loss, dry skin, sometimes joint stiffness, and elevated blood cholesterol. Her blood pressure is on the low side.

Mary

[shaws Administrator]

Maybe things in her body are changing, thus altering her thyroid chemistry. I am not medically qualified but this is an extract from the link which will follow. I don't know if it will be helpful:-

Panel 7:

Normal or raised TSH, raised free T4 or free T3

Rare—with discordant free T4 versus free T3

Interfering antibodies to thyroid hormones (anti-TPO antibodies

usually also present)

Familial dysalbuminaemic hyperthyroxinaemia

Amiodarone

keck.usc.edu/en/Education/A...

[Taffhamster]

I had TSH at the high end of "normal" and high T3, and Dr Peatfield thinks it may be that my tissues aren't taking up the T3 that's produced so it's "pooling" somewhat. He's treating me for adrenal insufficiency first of all, so maybe your daughter's adrenals need a check-up? He also said that once the adrenals are sorted out, the T3 may get used up quickly giving hypo symptoms. Hope that helps. All the best to both of you. x