TSH too high but T3 and T4 normal

[ashokkumart]

Can anybody explain why my TSH is too high 17 and T3 and T4 still within the normal limits. Am I hypothyroid? Shall I continue with Thyronorm/ Eltroxin 50mcg any more. The same result is consistantly coming for the last 5 tests with only slight difference in TSH

[silverfox7]

But difficult to comment without seeing the actually results and ranges but may be you are only just in range and this isn't optimal for you. Most feel better if FT3 and FT4 are in the top third or even top 25% of range

[marram]

I recently had a blood test and was told 'all normal, no further action'. But I asked for the actual figures and found that my T3 was 4 in a range of 3.8 - 6!

In other words, it was just about creeping in at the bottom of the range. From past experience, I know that this is just not good enough for me. This may be due to being overactive for the first half of my life, making me resistant to T3, but unless I am at the top of the range I will feel hypo and will have many of the classic symptoms including a swollen tongue, puffy ankles, carpal tunnel pain, and breathing problems. (None of which, I was told recently, are anything to do with low thyroid. Right! So why do they go away when I increase my dosage?)

I am not suggesting you are thyroid resistant, but you may need to be better than just 'in range'. Hence the importance of knowing the actual figure, with the range as well.

It can be quite daunting to insist on this, but once you have done it, it will get easier, and they may well get used to your asking and tell you straight away each time!

Marie xx

[jimh111]

How are you feeling? Do you have hypothroid signs and symptoms. It would be useful if you could get the actual numbers and reference intervals for your TSH, fT3, fT4 as they may be different to those used in the UK.

A TSH of 17 is rather high. As your thyroid gland starts to fail it gradually gets weaker and pushes the TSH up higher as the pituitary trys harder to make your thyroid work. Most healthy people have a TSH around 1.0 or 2.0.

I suspect you are undermedicated at the moment and that your levothyroxine (Thyronorm) should be increased to around 100 mcg in order to bring your TSH down.

I wouldn't bother exploring other medications such as NDT or T3 for now, levothyroxine works for most people provided they are prescribed the correct amount. Were you diagnosed by your doctor? It seems that the person monitoring your thyroid does not have a good understanding of hypothyroidism.

[ashokkumart]

Thanks . i will post the actual values and consult with my doctor

[rosieposiejack]

What were ur actual free t3 and free t4 results and the labs ranges. Being within normal ranges can be a long way off optimal! Ur ft4 should be in the top half of the labs range and ur ft3 should be in the top 1/4 of the labs range, most people feel best with a ft3 of 6 ot just over. Also has ur doc checked ur thyroid antibodies,tpo antibodies and tgab antibodies both need done to rule out autoimmune issues xx

[SilverAvocado]

There are other complications that can cause this - for example TSH is actually a pituitary hormone. So the TSH value depends on your pituitary being healthy and accurate. Just like the thyroid, it's possible for the pituitary to fail, or to be overactive (I think because of a tumour).

But I think you really need to see the results to confirm that the fT3 and fT4 are good numbers.

[faith63]

A high TSH could be a TSH oma..a benign tumor that raises TSH levels or..do you have hashimotos?