Blood test

[SharleneAttwood]

I have had blood test at the doctors and my results I think are high.

The letter says I have a suppressed TSH with a free T4 of 76 and a free T3 of 28. What does this mean?

[bantam12]

Looks like you are hyperthyroid but we need to see the ranges for those results, usually in brackets after the result.

[SharleneAttwood in reply to bantam12]

I don’t have those ranges. I’ll contact the doctors to see if I can get them. What does the ranges show please?

[bantam12 in reply to SharleneAttwood]

The ranges show the lowest and highest limits for the specific test and where your results fall within or outside those ranges. They can differ between laboratories so ranges are important to read the result properly.

[Wildbird]

Usually a depressed tsh, high t4 and t3 are a symptom of hyperthyroidism. Hopefully your GP will explain the results in a way that you can understand more easily.

[diogenes Remembering]

There is a form of hyperthyroidism called T3 thyrotoxicosis. This is when TSH is suppressed, FT4 is normal and FT3 is well above normal. Your results fit the bill.

[greygoose in reply to diogenes]

With an FT4 of 76? That would be a very strange range!

[bantam12 in reply to greygoose]

I was thinking the same !

[LAHs in reply to greygoose]

Yes, the units would be helpful too.

[SharleneAttwood in reply to LAHs]

I’ll contact the doctors Monday and try and get more details. These were just typed on a letter from the doctors and I don’t have any more info. The doctor did mention that he thought I had an overactive thyroid, after looking on the internet I just needed more info. Thanks for all your help.

[diogenes Remembering in reply to greygoose]

Being shortsighted I read FT4 as total T4. Thus, straightforward hyperthyroidism is obvious.

[greygoose in reply to diogenes]

[silverfox7]

It's one thing your doctor is thinking that but you need to know what he is doing about that and quickly! He should be telling you he is referring you to see an endocrinologist. There is usually a waiting list so make sure he is doing this so you can get the right treatment started.

[Valarian]

Are you in the UK Sharlene ?

[SharleneAttwood in reply to Valarian]

Yes Valarian.

[Valarian in reply to SharleneAttwood]

Just wondering about the ranges. As others have said, we will be able to give you more specific info if you get hold of this info.

Assuming TSH is very suppressed and FT3/FT4 well above range, you should be referred for an endo appointment. These can take twelve weeks or more to come through, so your GP may start you on an antithyroid drug called carbimazole while you are waiting. You should have regular blood tests while under treatment - typically every four to eight weeks.

If your thyroid levels are well over range, the chances are you are feeling pretty unwell. It will take a few weeks for the carbimazole to kick in, as it inhibits production of new hormone rather than destroying any stores. Talk to your GP about symptoms, as it may be possible to prescribe beta blockers to take the edge off some of the worst.

You may find these helpful.

btf-thyroid.org/information...

btf-thyroid.org/information...

[SharleneAttwood in reply to Valarian]

I have had my blood results from the doctors. Loads of different results but I think these are the ones:

Serum Free T3 level (KK) Abnormal 28 pmol/L range 3.10-6.80pmol/L

Serum Free T4 level (KK) abnormal 76.7 pmol/L range 12.00-22.00 pmol/L

TFT (KK) Abnormal <0.01 mU/L range 0.27-4.20mU/L

They have put me on some beta blockers last week to help with my heart.

Thanks