Normal TSH but low T3 and T4: Hi all, A friend... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,154 members160,843 posts

Normal TSH but low T3 and T4

VixUK profile image
6 Replies

Hi all,

A friend of mine has been suffering a lot of depression, fatigue, lethargy etc... so I encouraged her to get her thyroid checked out. She has family history of underactive thyroid.

Her results are slightly puzzling to me.

TSH 1.59 (0.27-4.20)

T3 0.94 (0.8-2.00)

Free T3 2.78 (2.00 - 4.4)

T4 5.26 (5.1 - 14.1)

Free T4 0.98 (0.93 - 1.70)

She hasn't seen a doctor yet but can anyone give me some feedback on what this could indicate?

Written by
VixUK profile image
VixUK
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

This link may be helpful:

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

VixUK profile image
VixUK in reply to shaws

Thanks! Very interesting.

Clutter profile image
Clutter

VixUK,

TSH is low-normal but FT4 is very low and FT3 is low. Results rule out primary hypothyroidism but I think it's possible that there may be secondary/central hypothyroidism or isolated TSH deficiency because I would expect to see higher TSH with such low FT4.

I recommend your friend discusses this with her GP but she should prepare herself to be told everything is fine because GPs are not good a diagnosing central hypothyroidism. If her GP suspects central hypothyroidism your friend should be referred to endocrinology for investigation and management. cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

I certainly recommend your friend checks her thyroid levels again in 3-6 months to see whether FT4 has dropped.

VixUK profile image
VixUK in reply to Clutter

Thanks! We don't actually live in the UK so we can go straight to an endocrinologist. However, in my experience, that's not much better. All doctors here see themselves as gods who should never question their opinion.

I manage my own hypothyroid with minimal interference from the doctor.

We can buy all mediation over the counter here without a prescription, so much easier than when I was in the UK and was being told everything was fine.

However, I don't want to advise anyone else to do that without consulting a doctor first. I hope she can find a good one.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to VixUK

VixUK,

If your friend has central hypothyroidism it is necessary to check pituitary function in case sex and growth hormones are also deficient.

patient.co.uk/doctor/pituit...

Treatment for central hypothyroidism is Levothyroxine replacement the same as for primary hypothyroidism.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Perhaps check her thyroid antibodies and also vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

You may also like...

normal TSH and T3 but Low T4

9-10.5 FREE T4 INDEX (T7) 1.1 L Range: 1.4-3.8 T4, FREEB(ng/dL) 0.9 Range: 0.8-1.8 T3, FREE...

Low TSH with normal T3, T4.

months: Results 27 Jul 22 TSH 0.09 (lab range 0.27 - 4.20) FREE T4 - 23 (lab range 11 - 21.20)...

Low TSH, normal T4 and T3

Also, I'm a bit of a dunce when it comes to my thyroid so please excuse me if the answer to this is...

'normal' TSH and T4, low T3

I decided to get a blue horizon blood test for Thyroid function and cortisol, the findings from...

Low TSH with normal T4 and T3