High tsh, high t4 continues...

[rosiet84]

Hello - I wonder if anyone could shed any light on this - I got some really helpful replies last time thankyou.

My TSH and T4 tests keep coming back with *both* values too high, I've had them tested after not taking levothyroxine in previous 24 hours but STILL same problem. TSH is around 4 and t4 around 25.

I've had ALL my vitamin/minerals checked and all now at good levels (I take a lot of supplements inc all those recommended here and always at other end of day from my levo).

Endo will NOT test t3 and am considering getting this done privately now. Pituitary and cortisol been investigated thoroughly and fine.

Doctors now suggesting chronic fatigue but until the weird tsh/t4 results are solved I am not prepared to accept this.

I should also mention I have an ongoing vomiting problem due to suspected gastritis - but I'm evidently absorbing the levothyroxine given my t4 levels. Could gastro issues cause a t3 conversion issue? Or any other likely suspects?!

[startagaingirl]

Hi Rosie, you really needs. Free t3 check as a lack of this is suggested by high Tsh with high ft4. I see that you posted 2 weeks ago that your ferritin was right at bottom of range and b12 wasn't great either. You say all vitamins & minerals are now at good levels - sorry I don't know what tests you have had, but to bring those 2 up, especially ferritin, takes several months unless you have had injections or infusions. Lack of those will be hindering conversion from t4 to t3. With those so low you may also not get along with any t3/ndt medication so you are unlikely to feel better quickly. You really need to address the nutrients first. Everything to do with the thyroid takes patience, you didn't lose the function overnight - typically many years before diagnosis - and you won't sort it out overnight either. Hang on in there and keep working the supplements.

Good luck

Gillian. Xx

[startagaingirl in reply to startagaingirl]

Sorry - don't see that you have been given any levels. Optimum for ferritin is considered 100-130 minimum 70, b12 1000ish, vit d 100-120, folate at least mid-range. Xx

[Itsnotinmyhead in reply to startagaingirl]

Wow my ferritin were once at 12, highest I ever got to is 50 and vitamin d was 24 😢

[rosiet84 in reply to startagaingirl]

Thanks. Blood tests I posted before were from 9th Jan and when hospital tested me last week they said everything was in range. I'll carry on taking the iron, b vitamins and magnesium as don't know latest figures but I really need things to resolve as I've had months off work as I can't even walk half a mile I'm so weak. So tend to think it must be something more than just 'low in range' vitamins/minerals. And vomiting everyday. I'll push the t3 test when see endo Friday but suspect he'll refuse again so I'll order private t3 then if so.

[startagaingirl in reply to rosiet84]

Hi - I wasn't trying to say that low in range was your only problem, simply that such major deficiencies would be holding back conversion to t3 and hence potentially giving you hypo symptoms on top of those created by the deficiencies themselves. And just "In range" is very far from adequate, especially with no thyroid.

Good luck xx

[rosiet84]

Oh and forgot to say I had a total thyroidectomy 3 years ago due to very sudden extremely high t4. Was fine for 2 years on levo but now all fallen apart past year

[Clutter in reply to rosiet84]

Rosiet84,

Show your endo the link below and ask whether resistance to thyroid hormone more commonly called impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormone may be the problem. As pituitary was checked that should rule out TSHoma which is a benign pituitary adenoma.

thyroidmanager.org/algorith...

[rosiet84 in reply to Clutter]

Thankyou, very useful diagram! Will do