Ft4/ft3 ratio

[Sadienerin]

Hi, could anyone please tell me what my ft4/ft3 ratio should be? I had total thyroid bloods done and it explains all the results, which were normal, except the tgAB was high, but it doesn’t explain the results of my ft4/ft3 ratio, which is 2.5. Am I correct in assuming that as the other levels were in range, that the ratio must be? Or am I totally wrong? Please be gentle, I’m not too clever with things like this. Thank you x

[Heloise]

Hi Sadie, I'm not thoroughly understanding why they are using a ratio unless you might have Graves? 2:5 looks like a lower FT4 than FT3 and that is unusual and I think your TG antibodies may indicate Graves. Did they say you were hyper-thyroid? Do you suffer from high metabolism, high temperature, palpitations, etc? If so, here is some information for you. stopthethyroidmadness.com/g...

[Sadienerin in reply to Heloise]

Oh ok. I was told I may have hashimotos xx

[Sadienerin in reply to Heloise]

I have got palpitations (high amount of ectopic beats) which is being treated with beta blockers, with no effect at present, but otherwise symptoms of hypo, being weight gain, significant hair loss, dry skin etc x

[greygoose]

It would be far easier for people to help you if you posted all your results, with the ranges. Otherwise, it's just a guessing game!

[Sadienerin in reply to greygoose]

T4 111, tsh 2, ft4 15.5, ft3 6.2, ft4:ft3 ratio 2.5, rt3 0.33, tgAB 72, tpoAB <14

[Sadienerin in reply to greygoose]

Do you need the ranges too? X

[greygoose in reply to Sadienerin]

Oh, yes! The ranges are vital to understanding the results, and they vary from lab to lab.

[Sadienerin in reply to greygoose]

Ok t4 58-161, tsh 0.40-4.00, ft4 11.5-22.7, ft3 2.8-6.5, rt3 0.14-0.54, tgAB <40, tpoAB <34

[greygoose in reply to Sadienerin]

TSH 2 (0.40 - 4.00)

FT4 15.5 (11.5 - 22.7)

FT3 6.2 (2.8 - 6.5)

rT3 0.33 (0.14 - 0.54)

TgAB 72 (<40)

TPOab <14 (<34)

OK, that's more understandable.

So, yes, you more than likely have Hashi's.

Your TSH says your thyroid is struggling, although you're not quite hypo yet.

Your Frees are good, but, that FT3 is unusually high... Are you on any thyroid hormone replacement? You don't actually say.

TT4 and rT3 are irrelevant in this scenario. And your ratio is top-heavy due to the FT3 being so high and the FT4 being on the low side. You see, ratios are not very helpful if you don't have the actual results. The results explain the ratio! And, as I said, that FT3 is strange...

[Sadienerin in reply to greygoose]

Hi, thank you much for that response. I’m not on any thyroid treatment. I have only one kidney (due to donation) and my heart is being investigated, could that affect the results? I think I read somewhere that one of the thyroid hormones was affected by the kidneys, but can’t find where. If not, it’s nit the first time something unusual has occurred in our house 😒 so am not that surprised x

[Heloise in reply to Sadienerin]

You can do fine with one kidney. You probably saved someone's life so you should feel great about that. Thyroid hormones are higher in T4 and the liver and kidneys help to convert it to T3. The body works together and that's why so many other factors have an impact. Short video about your antibodies.

youtube.com/watch?v=Z5SaM0R...(Not working as expected?)

[Sadienerin in reply to Heloise]

Ah that's maybe what I read somewhere late at night, and didn't take it in, thank you. X

[greygoose in reply to Sadienerin]

No, I don't think just having one kidney will affect your thyroid hormone results. And, any problem with your heart is more likely to be caused by your thyroid, than the other way round. It could be due to a recent Hashi's 'hyper' swing, as Clutter suggests, but in that case, one would expect the FT4 to be high, as well. You'll just have to want and see how things work out. But, do keep a close eye on your levels, and test as frequently as you can.

[Sadienerin in reply to greygoose]

Thank you x

[greygoose in reply to Sadienerin]

You're welcome.

[Clutter]

Sadienerin,

TgAb 40 is positive for autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Your thyroid levels are currently euthyroid (normal). NHS won't usually diagnose hypothyroidism until TSH is >4 or FT4 <11.5.

FT3 is high in range which suggests there was a recent lymphocyte infiltration of the thyroid gland causing transient hyperthyroidism. After a while repeated infiltrations will have destroyed so many thyroid cells the gland will atrophy and be unable to produce sufficient thyroid hormone. 100-200mcg selenium daily is good thyroid support and along with 100% gluten-free diet may help to delay progression to hypothyroidism.

[Sadienerin]

Thank you all so much for explaining this all. It all makes sense now, thank you xx

[DippyDame]

Ratio of T4:T3 should be better than 3:1

I noted this, but (apologies) not the source.....hope it helps.

Greetings...

DD

[carroll998 in reply to DippyDame]

Hi what should be the ratio of ft4 to ft3 please

[DippyDame in reply to carroll998]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Info in this post.

Hope it helps

[Sadienerin]

thank you 😊 xx