What Happens Next: Hi I am new on here. I... - Thyroid UK

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What Happens Next

Moonbeamsunbeam profile image
11 Replies

Hi I am new on here. I finally managed to get my blood tested and the results shocked me. My GP said I have subclinical hyperthyroid and has referred me to an endocrinologist. My blood test results were TSH 1.6 Free T4 56.8 and Free T3 26.5 what does all this mean and what happens next.

Thank you

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Moonbeamsunbeam profile image
Moonbeamsunbeam
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11 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

Welcome to the forum, Moonbeamsunbeam.

There is nothing subclinical about it :( Both T4 and T3 are very high even though TSH is normal which is very unusual as one would expect to see TSH suppressed very low.

Has your GP started you on beta blockers or Carbimazole while you are waiting for the endo referral?

Moonbeamsunbeam profile image
Moonbeamsunbeam in reply toClutter

Thank you

Moonbeamsunbeam profile image
Moonbeamsunbeam in reply toClutter

Hi Clutter,

No he has not given me anything. I am on quite high blood pressure medication I have been on this for about 10 years. It was really hard to bring my resting heart rate down. The trouble with my Doctors surgery is that it's hard to see the same GP all the time and indeed the one I used to try and see has left. This one just said I would have to live with the symptoms unti, I saw the endocronologist.

Kindest regards

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply toMoonbeamsunbeam

Moonbeansunbeam,

Tell your receptionist you need a same day emergency appointment with a different GP to the one you saw because you need a prescription for Carbimazole. Tell receptionist you will go to A&E if you are unable to get an emergency appointment and take the blood test results with you to A&E.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

Moonbeamsunbeam,

Your GP does not understand.

It certainly looks as if you are being classed as subclinical because your TSH isn't extremely low (e.g. less than 0.1 or something like that). But your FT4 and FT3 levels are VERY high.

In my view (and I am in no way medically trained) you are overtly and definitely hyperthyroid.

What should have happened is for you to have been prescribed an antithyroid medicine which stops your thyroid from making more thyroid hormone. (Usually Carbimazole.) That can take two weeks or longer to bring your thyroid hormone levels down to sensible levels. At the same time, it is common to prescribe a beta-blocker, most often propranolol, to reduce the impact of the high thyroid hormone levels, especially on your heart.

You need that endocrinology appointment quite urgently. You have not told us of any symptoms - if whatever symptoms you have get worse, or new symptoms appear, it could be appropriate to go to Accident and Emergency - especially if your heart rate rises, and your temperature goes up.

The oddity of your TSH being relatively high makes it all the more important to find out precisely what is happening. If you have any more blood tests, make it really clear that doing just a TSH test is completely wrong-headed.

Moonbeamsunbeam profile image
Moonbeamsunbeam in reply tohelvella

Thank you so much for your reply. I have thought my thyroid is not quite right for quite a few years now, but having it checked they only checked the TSH levels which I think we're normal and my Free T4 which were no where near as elevated as on my last blood test. My symptoms are not knowing when I am tired I literally have to pass out. Excessive sweating at the gym and during the night. Also upon first waking in the morning, then feeling cold, then sweating again, weight gain, feeling like I am running on overdrive, extreme mood swings from mania to absolute lowest of low mood, depression. Memory problems, I used to have a wonderful memory, now I even forget my own sons birthdays. I have no interest in my home I.e. Housework, but, am a compulsive shopper to the extreme. I have glaucoma. I suffer hoarseness, and two years ago my hair started to fall out. In the end I cut it short. It is still thin but better than when it was falling out. I have started to get eczema in different places on my body. My resting heart rate is high and the latest thing that has happened to me is I get pins and needles in my left hand and foot after excercise which doesn't go away. I am also thirsty all of the time. I am on night blood pressure medication.

Does all this make sense to you?

Kindest regards Lesley

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toMoonbeamsunbeam

Just to be clear, I have never suffered from hyperthyroidism. From what I have read, much of what you report does make sense - excessive sweating, mood issues, high heart rate.

I hope others who have experienced hyperthyroidism will respond and let you know.

Have a read of the link below - I have just grabbed one paragraph to quote.

Investigating suspected hyperthyroidism

How should I investigate suspected hyperthyroidism?

Arrange the following thyroid function tests (TFTs) if a person presents with suspected hyperthyroidism:

Check the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level.

If the TSH is within the reference range, further investigations are not usually needed, as hyperthyroidism is very unlikely. Note: very rarely TSH-dependent causes of hyperthyroidism, such as TSH-producing pituitary tumours, can present with a normal TSH.

cks.nice.org.uk/hyperthyroi...

Please ask for an urgent appointment - not one in 14, 18 or however many weeks.

Arab profile image
Arab in reply toMoonbeamsunbeam

Hi Lesley,

I had very similar symptoms to you for some years. The doctors just put it down to 'menopause' and told me that my Thyroid was normal. I too had a high heart rate, high blood pressure, sweats, irritable mood swings, heat/light/noise intolerance, weight gain; I was obviously very ill for a long time, and my hyperthyroidism hadn't been picked up. In hindsight, I'm lucky to be here.

In the end, I went in to atrial fibrillation, and still they had time diagnosing my Thyroid condition.

It's imperative that you get the right treatment as soon as possible. Do get an emergency appointment and insist on being seen. You need Carbimazole and medication to protect your heart.

Here's hoping your next post is to say that you've been seen and are on the treatment you so badly need.

Arab.

Moonbeamsunbeam profile image
Moonbeamsunbeam in reply toArab

Thank you very much for your reply and your information. I am on holiday this week but as soon as I get home I will try my best to get seen early rather than later.

Kindest regards Lesley

Gretna99 profile image
Gretna99

I agree with above. One of the main things they look for in hyperthyroidism is a low TSH. I know, I was subclinical myself with a low TSH and normal t3/4.

I am now fully hyperthyroid due to Graves' disease.

The consultant will run different tests etc to diagnose your condition I'm sure. When is your appointment?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

Have just posted an abstract which mentions Pituitary Resistance to Thyroid Hormone.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Not for one minute am I expecting you to read and understand. But it made me realise I had not put forward any possible explanation of your high TSH.

If your pituitary doesn't respond to increasing levels of thyroid hormone by reducing TSH appropriately, you could end up where you are. Your high thyroid hormone level is not shutting down TSH production.

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