Daughter seems to have hypothyroidism too! - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,244 members166,489 posts

Daughter seems to have hypothyroidism too!

sueoathall profile image
14 Replies

My 23 year old daughter has just had her blood test results back. As usual they only tested for TSH and T4. As usual they said her results are within normal range! Her results are;

Serum free level T4 15.1 (12.00-22.00)

TSH 1.74 (0.3- 4.20)

They didn't test for B12 or anything else.

Any advice please? Thanks

Written by
sueoathall profile image
sueoathall
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
14 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

Sueoathall, your daughter's results are euthyroid. If she is symptomatic ask for vitamin D, ferritin, B12 and folate to be tested or order private tests via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin... as low/deficient levels can cause musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and low mood similar to hypothyroid symptoms.

Ansteynomad profile image
Ansteynomad

Noting your comment Clutter, but how can she be euthyroid if her FT4 is in the bottom half of the range and FT3 will be correspondingly low?

This is the situation I was in. The NHS was only interested in diagnosing CFS, but 150mcg Levo fixed most of my symptoms and 2 grains of Thyroid S has fixed them all!

Surely, if you disregard the unreliable TSH, this girl,is in trouble?

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toAnsteynomad

Totally agree, Anstey. That FT4 is not even mid-range. And the TSH of a totally 'normal' person, thyroid-Wise, is between 0.8 and 1.25. Only slightly raised at 1.74, but probably enough to cause problems.

Of course, I wouldn't expect any doctor to think this was abnormal, but we know better than doctors, Don't we!

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply togreygoose

GG, what is the FT4 of a totally 'normal' person? I've not seen one but understand the euthyroid TSH range to be between 0.5-1.70.

Recommendations for T4 in the top 75% of range are for people on Levothyroxine.

Edited to correct 1.76 to 1.70.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toClutter

Yes, I realise that. But I've always heard that the TSH of a euthyroid person is 1.25 or below. I Don't know about FT4, to be honest, I've searched by can't find anything. I really Don't think enough research has been done into that, they've got their 'ranges' and they're happy with them!

But, of course, nothing can be said with any certainty without seeing the FT3...

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply togreygoose

GG, annoying about FT4, probably not even been researched :( TSH 0.5-1.50 or 1.70 is what I've mostly seen but I think that can vary according to race as does the prevalence of Graves and Hashimoto's according to a US Navy study on personnel. I wish I'd bookmarked it.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toClutter

Yup, anyone would think they didn't care, wouldn't they!

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply toAnsteynomad

Anstey, I don't agree mid-range FT4 in someone not taking Levothyroxine is necessarily a problem. Of course, low FT3 is, but there is no FT3 result and unlikely to be unless done privately.

Low vits/mins can be tested by her GP as NHS won't consider thyroid problems with those results.

Ansteynomad profile image
Ansteynomad

My local endos carried on telling me there was, and I quote, “no endocrine reason for my symptoms” even when my TSH was 4.2 and my FT4 and FT3 were bumping along the bottom of their reference ranges. They discharged me and then two years later they changed the reference range for TSH to one that finished at, you guessed it, 4.2! I guess they might give me a diagnosis now, but I won’t go near them again.

What I do know is that neither my FT4 nor my FT3 got out of the bottom third of the reference range until I got on levo, but when they did, I started to heal.

sueoathall profile image
sueoathall

Thanks everyone. So , clutter, should I just get those tests you mentioned and then what?

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply tosueoathall

Sue, post the results and lab ref ranges and members will advise. If you're getting private tests FT3 would be helpful too.

There is disagreement about my use of 'euthyroid' to describe your daughter's results but your daughter won't get a NHS hypothyroid diagnosis until either TSH is over range or FT4 &/or FT3 is below range. She might benefit from Levothyroxine if she selfmedicates.

ps if you use the orange Reply button members are sent an email and on-site notificaton that you have replied.

Ansteynomad profile image
Ansteynomad

I understand what you are saying, but if FT4 is low, then FT3 is inevitably low as well. It is after all a one to one conversion, and if FT3 is low, then we know what the effect is for the patient.

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Londinium, I don't understand your question?

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Londinium, in the top 75-100% of range. For someone on Levothyroxine that would mean FT4 >19.5 (12-22). FT4 is usually lower on T3 or NDT.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

12 week old daughter with congenital hypothyroidism

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for reading!! My little girl is 12 weeks old and was diagnosed with...

Is this hypothyroidism?

Hello, a friend just had some thyroid blood tests back from Blue Horizon and I wanted to check with...

Daughter 9 month pregnancy

Dear friends of Thyroid UK. Can I please ask your advice & wisdom My daughter is due date is on...
Harthill42 profile image

Daughter with hypothyroidism

Hi my daughter was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 8 years ago by her Gp. She is on 100mcg...
5219 profile image

From Hypothyroidism to Hyperthyroidism?

Hello all, I have had subclinical hypothyroidism since I was teenager (TSH levels anywhere between...

Moderation team

See all
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.