raised tsh and ft4

[reepicheep]

Hello, I've just joined. I had a test done and both my tsh and ft4 are high. Has anyone else had experience of this. The info. on internet suggests a pituitary tumour. I'm anxious anyway and not sleeping too well - hence test. Now very scared and menopausal with severe m.e.

[ThyroidObsessed]

I have had this happen too.. was referred to an endo, who told me that it happens when not taking the levo properly are stopping the levo then resuming it with a higher dose, which i did none of those things i take it religiously every morning on an empty stomach!!.. started with anxiety and insomnia too!. i blamed the new brand of teva so stopped taking that and started back on the actavis brand, but started slowly and still working my way up, im on 75mcg at the minute got to wait another 6 weeks to see if tsh drops..

The endo has said if tsh doesnt drop then i may have conversion problems, where i may not be converting the t4 to t3 properly..

I,m hoping its just a fluke as i do not want to take t3 aswell as t4 as iv been fine on levo for the past 9 years!

Hope some other people have some more knowledgeable information for you....

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum and if both your TSH and T4 are high it usually means we are hypothyroid. This is an autoimmune thyroid disease and you need replacement hormones.

It is very common and women are the majority of those with hypo.

Ask questions on this forum as reading 'other' statements may cause you to worry.

Hypothyroidism is so common and doctor will prescribe levothyroxine (also called T4). It should gradually be raised until your TSH is around 1 or lower. T4 (levothyroxine) converts to T3 (liothyronine) and it is the active hormone which runs our whole metabolism from head to toe but it is gradually increased until you are symptom-free and feel well again.

Blood tests have to be done at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours from your last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards. This allows the TSH to be highest (it drops throughout the 24 hours) as doctors mainly pay attention to the TSH to adjust hormones.

Levothyroxine should be taken first thing with one full glass of water and wait about an hour before eating.

Ask GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as we may be deficient which will also cause symptoms.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges (these are important as labs differ) to enable members to comment if you wish.

It is not an 'instant' fix as we gradually become hypo so doses are slowly increased about every six to eight weeks till your symptoms go and you feel better.

[reepicheep in reply to shaws]

My ft4 is high not normal and I am hyperthyroid not hypo. I have hyperthyroid symtoms.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to reepicheep]

Have you been diagnosed hyperthyroid and are you on any medication?

[shaws Administrator in reply to reepicheep]

I apologise as you didn't state you were hyperthyroid.

Those who are will respond but the blood test info stands plus getting print-outs with the results.

[Clutter]

Reepicheep,

If both TSH and FT4 are high it can indicate:

1. Analytical interference from TSH or T4 antibodies.

2. Resistance to thyroid hormone.

3. TSHoma which is a benign hormone secreting adenoma on the pituitary gland.

thyroidmanager.org/algorith...

questdiagnostics.com/hcp/in...

[reepicheep]

Thanks for all your help, it's very kind. I'm not on any meds. I'm housebound and have severe allergies and don't respond normally to conventional drugs. I need medical help, but if this is a weird m.e. thing, the local doctors will get it wrong.I fear meds, being misunderstood and no options. Does anyone know of a thyroid doctor who knows about m.e.? Thank you for the info. about possibilities. I will check out the antibody thing. As for the others, I realise I need a doctor