Hyper and Hypo thyroid both?

[isaacsnanna]

I recently had my thyroid levels checked and the results conflict with one another, My TSH is 22.01 yet my T4 is 0.9 and my T3 is 5.8 which My PCP says is completely abnormal he says that the levels have me as both Hyperthyroid and Hypothyroid anyone ever had this happen. he says it is possible that my Thyroid cancer has returned. But my cancer was encapsulated in my thyroid which was removed.

[Marz]

What thyroid meds do you take ?

[isaacsnanna in reply to Marz]

Armour thyroid 90mg daily

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum,

When you post results of tests, it is helpful if you also put the ranges (these figures are in brackets after your results as labs differ and it makes it easier to respond).

Also, if you put a short history in your Profile, so that members can look for some background history if they are replying to you.

At present, as you have no thyroid gland at all, I'd say you are hypothyroid due to a TSH of 22.01. Your T4 of course is low but I cannot explain about your higher T3. Do you have an Endocrinologist you can consult? If not ask to be referred.

When you get blood tests for thyroid hormones, it always has to be at the very earliest (TSH is highest then) and if you were taking thyroid hormone replacements (I assume you haven't as yet been prescribed levothyroxine?) fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between dose and test and take afterwards. Always get a print-out of your results, with the ranges, for your own records and you can post if you have a query. Your B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate should be checked at your next blood test.

This link may be helpful for you and I'm glad you are querying your doctor's comment and those who've had a thyroidectoy will respond when they read your post.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Has your doctor prescribed any thyroid hormone replacement for you yet?

Ask your doctor to do a Free T4 and Free T3 blood test. These are different from T4 and T3 tests.

Members who've had a similar procedure to you will also respond.

[isaacsnanna in reply to shaws]

In response to your message. I am on Armour thyroid 90 mg daily. As for my test results TSH 22.01 range 0.45-4.50 Free T4 0.9 range 0.8-1.7 Free T3 5.8 range2.0-4.8. I was previously on Synthroid after my thyroidectomy in 2013 till 3 years ago when we were unable to get a proper dosage. Things were going well until this last couple of months when I was feeling constantly fatigued this led to a recheck with the previous results, as for having an endocrinologist I have been unable to get an appointment until June.

[shaws Administrator in reply to isaacsnanna]

If you've not had thyroid antibodies tested you should have as Hashimoto's is the commonest form of hypothyroidism and can have the effect of making people feel 'hyper' and at other times hypo.

NDTs are best, I think, but your dose is insufficient as TSH is far too high. The aim is 1 or lower. I shall give you a link by a doctor who was also an Adviser to Thyroiduk before his untimely death. He only took a blood test for patient's intitial appointment and therafter it was all upon the relief of clinical symptoms. He advised increasing by 1/4 tablet every two weeks until symptoms were relieved, also taking temp and pulse before beginning. The following are three chapters which may be helpful as his website was removed when he died but there are some archived material.

web.archive.org/web/2010112...

drlowe.com/educational.info... Chapter.2.Metabolic.Rehab.pdf

nebula.wsimg.com/b822d36efe...

[jimh111]

Sometimes the TSH assay can give wrong results due to interference from antibodies. Assuming you have had normal results from this assay before you can dismiss this possibility.

It is possible for a thyroid cancer to return. It is very difficult to remove all of a thyroid, they don't sit nicely in the neck. This is why radio iodine is often used after a thyroidectomy in cases of thyroid cancer. It is also important that TSH is kept low after thyroid cancer so I would contact your endocrinologist and tell them your TSH.

[Anthea55]

Unusual / distorted results can occur if you have been taking biotin. Here is a link to a previous post about it and you can find others if you use the Search box on this page (top right using Windows). Enter 'biotin tests' and several come up.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

It may be worth getting the tests repeated after being off supplements for a few days.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Essential to test thyroid antibodies, plus vitamins

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.

If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, and if on T3 or Armour (NDT) don't take in 12 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

Armour has higher T3 to T4 ratio, so can tend to give result of high FT3, but your TSH is extremely high and FT4 dire