Plasma t4 Abnormal

[Afaghieh]

Need some help please. Had blood test 26 Feb this is the result. My Gp said this morning everything is ok lab said it's abnormal.

Plasma tsh 1.21 0.30-4.20

Plasma free t4 5.2 9.0-19 Abnormal

Plasma free t3 3.8 2.6-5.7

And still gaining weight feel uncomfortable.

[greygoose]

You're taking T3 only, aren't you? In which case, your FT4 is 'normal' for you, because you're not taking any and your thyroid isn't able to make much.

[Afaghieh in reply to greygoose]

Thanks Greygoose

I am on t3 20 and 30mcg alternate days. But putting on weight on the top make my shoulders ache. I have been trying to sell my house so can have a reduction but not much luck. GP is not helpful. I thought Abnormal free t4 is result of malfunctioning of pituitary gland.

[greygoose in reply to Afaghieh]

The pituitary gland does not produce T4. The thyroid gland produces T4 and T3. The pituitary secretes TSH, so if there was a TSH problem, it could be due to the pituitary malfunctioning.

Your FT4 is low because you are taking T3 only, and your thyroid is no-longer making much hormone.

However, taking different doses of T3 on alternate days is not the right way to dose T3. You need a steady, regular dose of T3 every day to encourage the body to reopen receptors that is has switched off during hypothyroidism. Otherwise, you will continue to have symptoms.

Plus, your FT3 is rather low for someone taking that much T3. How do you take your T3? On an empty stomach, leaving at least one hour before eating or drinking anything other than water? Do you take any other medication/supplements at the same time as your T3?

[Afaghieh in reply to greygoose]

Thanks I have been forced by my GP to cut down from 30mcg daily to every other day of 20 and 30 I do take it on empty stomach most times and in the resent past had a serious side effect of Remipril which made me very ill. I was given med for sever heart burn as result of violent coughing. The papers about pituitary gland malfunction suggests that it contributes to low plasma free t4 but i am not a Biochemist.

[greygoose in reply to Afaghieh]

It would contribute to low plasma FT4 if there were a problem with your TSH. But, there is no problem with your TSH. Your FT4 is low because you aren't taking any. You are hypo. If you don't take any T4 then you would expect your FT4 to be low. You do not need to be a biochemist to understand that, surely. Where would the T4 come from if your thyroid only produces a small amount of T4, and you aren't taking any?

That may be all your doctor prescribes, but it is not good to take alternative doses. Can you not cut your pills so that you are taking 25 mcg every day?

What are you taking for your heartburn? Do you know if you have low stomach acid or high stomach acid? The symptoms are the same.