Hi,
I have an appointment to discuss my thyroid function test results on Tuesday but I managed to speak to the doctor today who told me that my T4 function was normal but that my thyroid stimulating hormone was slightly out of range (slightly higher than it should be) but that I should not worry about the results as my T4 level is normal.
Has anyone else had a result like this and what does it mean?
Firstly - ask for a print out of the results. "Normal" is a meaningless term as the range is correctly termed the reference range. Your FT4 may well be bottom of the range, which for you may be anything but "normal".
The body doesn't use T4, it converts it to T3. It is lack of T3 that makes you hypo and you should also have your FT3 tested. I'm guessing that is also low in range.
I presume you have symptoms and a doctor's job should be (should) to treat your symptoms. If you have hypo symptoms, with highish TSH, and lowish FT4 and FT3 then a trial of levo might help you.
Does your doctor know what is "normal" for you?
Hi Rosetrees, I will ask them for a print out of my results on Tuesday. This is the first time I have had a thyroid function test so I have no idea to be honest.
It just makes me feel confused. Does it mean my T4 is in the 'normal range's but that my thyroid stimulating hormone is producing slightly more than it should? Is this considered to be subclinical hypothyroidism or subclinical hyperthyroidism?
Yes I do have some symptoms such as extreme tiredness, dry skin and depression, I also feel the cold and my body temperature goes up and down but since I have been diagnosed with IBS, asthma, Borderline personality disorder and am slightly overweight, it is difficult to say exactly what it is due to
All those conditions or symptoms could be due to being hypothyroid. You should get into the habit of always asking for a printout of results as most doctors have no idea how to interpret them.
You should also ask for your Vit D, Vit B12, iron, ferritin and folate levels to be measured - and get the results. All need to be well in range, not just bottom, and it is common for hypo people to be deficient.
Vit D deficiency can affect asthma. I have a friend who supplements Vit D and finds they no longer need their inhaler.
As HypoHim below says, high TSH means you are hypothyroid. TSH is produced by your pituitary and its purpose is to stimulate your thyroid. So the higher it is, the more stimulation your thyroid needs to do its job, which means you are hypothyroid.
I think that subclinical hypothyroidism is used by most doctors to mean your TSH is below 10. However, it's strict definition is someone whose blood tests show hypothyroidism but who isn't experiencing symptoms. In my opinion it's a meaningless term. If you have symptoms you will benefit from treatment.
If TSH is higher than the reference range and FT4 lower than the reference range, it is called overt hypothyroidism.
If TSH is higher than the reference range, but FT4 is in the reference range, it is called subclinical hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when FT4 (and/or FT3) are high and usually TSH is lower than the reference range or zero.
Thank you for all your comments and advice. I will let you know how it goes and will attach a copy of my results
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