Very confused low tsh

[farranccc]

Hi everyone. I posted recently after a blood test indicated a low tsh at 0.2. but T3 and T4 within range. I had never had a thyroid test or any issues that I thought were thyroid related up until that point and am not on medication.

The Dr said it could be a lab error and I should retest - which I have just done and during an ecg for low heart rate the nurse said the blood test was back and the tsh had dropped to 0.07 but the others were in range.

Could anyone tell me, in simple terms what this probably means please?

I am seeing the Dr next Wednesday but would really like to go prepared.

Thanks!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

farranccc

It would help if you could post what tests were done, the results and the reference ranges of them. Without knowing where in range your FT4 and FT3 are we can't comment with any accuracy.

[farranccc in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi - T3 was 6.0 and T4 was 18.2 but I don’t have the ranges I’m sorry...

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to farranccc]

farranccc

It sort of narrows it down slightly but with ranges it would be a more accurate assessment.

FT3 is likely to be at the top of the range but there's no saying about FT4 because my GP's lab range is 7-17 and your result would be over if done at my lab, but we also see 9-19 and 12-22 very often so it could very well be within range.

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested? Raised Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and Thyroglobulin (TG) can indicate autoimmune hypothyroidism. TSI and TRab can indicate overactive thyroid (Graves disease).

There's nothing definitive can be said unless you have ranges for your results and those antibodies tested.

[Nanaedake in reply to farranccc]

We need the ranges to interpret your results as lab ranges vary from lab to lab and country to country.

[farranccc in reply to Nanaedake]

Hi, Just called the surgery and got them. T3 is 3.1 to 6.8 and T4 is 12 to 22. Antibodies not tested...

[Nanaedake in reply to farranccc]

Well FT3 is still in range so nothing conclusive about results. Have you had a recent infection or are you taking any medication or supplements?

Have you had your vitamin D level tested? You need thyroid antibodies tested next.

[farranccc in reply to Nanaedake]

Nope, no infection that I’m aware of and no medication (except otc nexium). I don’t think they checked vitamin d but I can ask.

Does it sound like it could be serious? (as in life changing) or could it be caused by something that is life threatening? (You mention infection)

[Nanaedake in reply to farranccc]

Well, you said you'd not had an infection so that's unlikely. Your results are within the normal range although TSH is lower than doctors would like. Your doctor would be wise to rule out an autoimmune thyroid condition which is very treatable so don't start worrying.

Do you have any close relatives with thyroid disease? If so, mention it to doc and ask for thyroid antibodies to be tested. You need TRAB, TSI, TPO and TgAb.

[farranccc in reply to Nanaedake]

Thanks for your reassurance.

I have private health care through work so could ask for a referral but who would be best to be referred to?

No, no reletives that I know of although not very close to them.

I have been undergoing tests for right upper quadrant pain which has made me worry about my liver but an ultrasound and blood tests were ok. Is there any link between the thyroid and liver disease?

[Nanaedake in reply to farranccc]

There's a link between most parts of your body so if one bit is out if kilter you might feel it somewhere else, or it could be unconnected. stick to the science and get the biochemical evidence to judge whether you have a problem. An Endocrinologist could run the tests you need. However, they are often diabetes specialists not thyroid specialists so do your research carefully.

[farranccc in reply to Nanaedake]

Thanks nanaedake - really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Hopefully I will find out soon what is up and it isn’t too serious

[Nanaedake in reply to farranccc]

Let me know the outcome.

[Hidden in reply to farranccc]

That pain sound exactly like the gallbladder is struggling. Did the ultrasound include the gallbladder and do you have the pain after a fatty meal.?

[farranccc in reply to Hidden]

Yep they did gallbladder and said it was fine. The pain does appear intermittently and sometime after a meal but also after drinking coffee or alcohol

[Hidden in reply to farranccc]

OK just a thought back to the drawing board, sorry.

[farranccc in reply to Hidden]

I didn’t realise there was a link between the thyroid and the gallbladder. Just been out to a restaurant for lunch and it really started hurting straight after - so maybe there is something gallbladder related?

This is all so complex and confusing

[Hidden in reply to farranccc]

I never had any health issues apart from Sinus operations during my lifetime until I reached 66 yrs of age when I started to have violent pains in the upper right side after eating occasional chips of something fatty. I had an ultrasound scan which revealed trouble with my gallbladder. When it was removed it was full of calcium stones. Nothing was ever explained to me at the time. It wasn't until I was nearly 70 yrs that my thyroid also started up. I had it removed in 2015.

Since joining this site and raising my Vitamin D etc I haven't had any sinus problems so I think that it was related.

I have never been overweight or suffered from gut problems, or Hashis, so I am lucky. I was adopted and since finding my birth family realize that these problems are all related to that i.e. autoimmune familial . I hope you sort yours out.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to farranccc]

Don't forget that you need extra B12 if you take Nexium (as it's a PPI).

[farranccc in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Ooh I didn’t know that. Although my B12 test came back on I think...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you taking any vitamin supplements that contain biotin?

This can falsely affect test results

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

[farranccc in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks I’ve ordered one. Should I take the results to my doctor when I see him next week?

I am beginning to freak out a little about this and what it is all going to mean.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to farranccc]

Come back with new post once you have results and ranges for advice from members