Low Free T4 levels...I'm quite concerned. Any advice or info appreciated.

[Davey1979]

Firstly I should say that I'm new here

I have just had the results of my thyroid function test back - brackets is normal range:

TSH 1.90 mU/L (0.35 - 5.00 U)

Free T4 9.1 pmol/L (9.0 - 21.0 U)

So technically, both of my readings are considered normal. However in the US it appears the lower range of normal Free T4 levels is 10.0.

Naturally I'm a bit concerned about this, though it has made me think:

1) I have lost OVER 3 STONE since 10th June 2015, i.e. in less than a year through exercise and dieting - i.e. it has been intentional weight loss.

2) I have recently given up smoking - in the last three weeks.

Could these have some impact on my T4 levels? Intuitively I would think that my body might be reacting to the fact I have shed nearly 1/5 of my body weight.

[catrich]

Hello Davey - aside from the low T4 reading do you have any other reason to be concerned? Do you have any symptoms or any other health complaints that worry you? I would say suggesting a hypothyroid condition is a little premature in the absence of any other results or symptoms. And congratulations on kicking the filthy habit and losing all that weight!

[Davey1979 in reply to catrich]

Hi Catrich, thanks for your reply.

None. No I don't have any problems.

I'm weighed weekly at work, and I lost 4 1/2 lbs this week, which is a result of exercise/diet and abstaining from alcohol.

I suffer from an anxiety condition which causes me a lot of stress, unfortunately, but besides that I'm reasonably healthy and don't have any obvious symptoms of thyroid problems.

I had the test done because I have mild vitiligo and read that sufferers often have thyroid problems.

[Mouldyoledoll]

are you on thyroid meds? If so, id check for pituitary problems,

[greygoose in reply to Mouldyoledoll]

I'd check for pituitary problems anyway, with an FT4 that low.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to greygoose]

Yep, perhaps also causing the anxiety by affecting cortisol production.

[greygoose in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Yup.