Thyroid results

[ruthalem]

Can anyone explain these results. Serum free T4 level (XaERr) 16.3 pmol/L (12.0-22.0) SerumTSH level (XaELV) 5.1 mU/L (0.27-4.2)

[radd]

ruthalem,

TSH is slightly elevated and is the pituitary hormone that tells the thyroid to produce more. T4 is ok but the important hormone is T3 that gives well being and one that doctors often fail to test. It is possible to have "good" thyroid hormone blood tests and still be hypothyroid.

When thyroid hormone is low, the adrenal glands step in to compensate and over time become unbalanced. Your adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys and are divided into two parts: outer glands (adrenal cortex) and inner glands (adrenal medulla).

The adrenal cortex releases several hormones directly into the bloodstream that affect metabolism and the hormone cortisol helps control the way your body uses fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. I noticed you are a member of a diabetes forum and advise you have diabetes type two.

The adrenal medulla secretes hormones that help you deal with physical and emotional stress. Adrenaline is known as the "fight or flight" hormone and makes the heart beat faster, increases blood flow to the brain and muscles, and helps the body make sugar quickly to use for fuel.

Compromising the adrenal glands may affect the way thyroid hormone is used and the biochemical pathway that ultimately produces healthy levels of T3.

When you eat too many carbs//sugar, the pancreas secretes insulin to move extra glucose from the blood into the cells (where glucose is used to produce energy) but over time, the cells lose the ability to respond to insulin causing "insulin resistance".

Studies have shown that repeated insulin surges (that accompany insulin resistance) increase the destruction of the thyroid gland in people with autoimmune thyroid disease. Have you had thyroid antibodies TPOAb & TGAb tested ? ? ....

A dry mouth can be indicative of high sugar levels but also low thyroid hormone.

Members use private labs to test T3 levels when doctors are uncooperative - link below.

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Private labs testing

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[ruthalem in reply to radd]

Thank you for the information, yes I do have type 2 diabetes but, I keep it pretty much under control, test twice a week and the highest level I have ever had is 5.3 the lowest is 4.7, my GP says that`s fine, and is pleased with that. i have been having symptoms of my thyroid not performing properly for two or three years, Hair getting very thin, weight gain, mood swings, etc and because my results are always border line, my GP insists that I do not need medication. Now after a MRI scan on my spine, the consultant has informed me that one of my kidneys is of an abnormal size (very small). I`m wondering if it is all tied in with my thyroid not performing naturally. I am now going to make an appointment with GP and ask for a T3 test. Once again thank you for the information. Kind regards Ruthalem.

[radd in reply to ruthalem]

ruthalem,

Thyroid hormones control the rate at which your kidneys can do their filtration work. When deficient it causes a decrease in the GFR (glomeruler filter rate) and creatinine will raise. I had elevated creatinine, an electrolyte imbalance and pee’d blood for months before being diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Ask your GP to test creatinine levels.

Medicating thyroid hormone replacement alleviated my symptoms but those who are under replaced (with Levo, etc..) , and pee proteins will be excreting more thyroid hormones that are attached to these proteins so lowering levels further.

Also… The kidneys converts T4 to T3 (though your liver is the main organ for conversion) and helps in the excretion of thyroid hormones. Any kidney impairment will alter thyroid physiology and so the HPA axis. I read that low T3 levels are common following hypothyroidism in patients suffering Chronic Kidney Dysfunction.

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Connection between hypothyroidism and kidney dysfunction

healthunlocked.com/nkfearly....

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ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

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Forgot to put links for connection between hypothyroidism and blood sugar issues.

chriskresser.com/thyroid-bl...