High t3's and hypo symptoms

[StarFlower2]

Can anyone advise...I have high T3's with Tsh and T4's in the normal spectrum. I have suffered with hypothyroid systems for 3 years..fatigue, loss of hair, weight gain, dry skin, foggy brain etc,.  My GP referred me to an endocrinologist who isn't prepared to treat me and says he can't explain why my t3's are high!

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Lynn-2.

It will help members advise if you post your recent thyroid results and ranges (the figures in brackets after results).

[StarFlower2 in reply to Clutter]

Many thanks, I'll search out my latest blood results and re post 

[galathea]

The t3's might be showing as high because they might be reverse t3 through a rubbish conversion...

I would look at getting a free t3 and a reverse t3 test done at the same time so you can check out whether this is the problem....

However, you will have to do it privately, its beyond the comprehension of most of the endos we meet....

Private testing details on the homepage...  thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Xx

[StarFlower2 in reply to galathea]

I'm due for repeat blood tests in 4 weeks so will check if they will do free t3 along with reverse t3.  Love this forum, it's so helpful, thank you! xx

[Clutter in reply to StarFlower2]

Lynn-2,

Labs usually decline to test FT3 unless TSH is suppressed and rT3 isn't available on the NHS.

[StarFlower2 in reply to Clutter]

I had private tests a years ago, the results are as follows:

Total t4 - 210 (58-161 nmol/L

TSH - 1.93 (0.40-4.00 mlU/L

Free t4 - 14.7 (11.5-22.7 pmol/L

Free t3 - 10.0 (2.8-6.5 pmol/L

FT4:FT3 ratio - 1.5 (2.0-4.5 ratio)

Reverse T3 - 0.72 (0.14 - 0.54 nmol/L

Thyroglobulin <20

Peroxidase <10

[greygoose in reply to galathea]

But, surely, the Free T3 tests test only the Free T3. They don't include the rT3.

[StarFlower2 in reply to greygoose]

I'm completely confused with the results As I'm not sure what's in the normal range. The endo's secretary texted me the results from 6 months ago but didn't include the ranges.

Tsh 1.23 

T4 20.7

Total t3 3.7

[greygoose in reply to StarFlower2]

Well, the TSH is in range - all the ranges - but that doesn't make it right. In fact, once you are on thyroid hormone replacement, it's pretty irrelevant.

You should have asked her for the ranges, because they differ from lab to lab, and you have to interpret your result according to the lab where the tests were done.

Having said that, even without the ranges, I can tell you that your FT4 is probably up the top of the range. But that the TT3 gives you no useful information whatsoever. It includes both bound and unbound T3, but your body can only use the unbound. I Don't know for sure what the range would be for TT3, but it's possible that that is low, not high. Whatever, your FT3 is going to be lower. So, there's a possibility that you're just not converting.

But you really must get the ranges to know anything for certain.    

[StarFlower2 in reply to greygoose]

That's so helpful, thanks greygoose. My husband also thinks its possible I'm not converting. I'll request the ranges from the endo and post them. 

If it's that I'm not converting would there be some form of treatment? 

[StarFlower2]

My last blood tests show:

Tsh - 1.1mu/l 

Free t4 - 17.0 pmol/L

Free t3 - 6.0 pmol/l

[Clutter in reply to StarFlower2]

Lynn-2,

You haven't included ranges but TSH 1.1 is good, FT4 17 is usually in or towards the upper range, and FT3 6.0 is usually towards the top of range but is unlikely to be elevated over range.  The results appear to be euthyroid and don't indicate thyroid dysfunction. 

 

In your older results antibodies were negative for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's).  The results were quite strange with normal TSH and FT4 but elevated FT3, and rT3 may have been high due to the high FT3.  Transient thyrotoxicosis may be a precursor to eventually developing hypothyroidism.

Ask your GP to test ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate.  Deficiencies/low levels can mimic hypothyroid symptoms.

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I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[StarFlower2]

I will ask for ferritin, Vit D etc., on my next blood test in 4 weeks, I'll post the results, thank you