Hyperthyroid - should I get treatment?

[Plantome]

I have just had my third thyroid blood test showing low TSH of 0.16 (range 0.3 - 5.6) and borderline FT4 of 14 (range 6.3 - 14). Previous tests have shown FT4 slightly higher.

I was wondering whether this is persuasive enough for me to be referred and treated by an endo as I have s history of heart arrhythmia.

I have also been suffering from shaking and sweating and general anxiety over the past three months which is all consuming. I am on SSRIs for anxiety but they do not seem to be working.

If the thyroid is contributing to my symptoms will treatment sort it out?

Grateful for any thoughts.

Thanks

[Coconutty]

Have they not tested FT3? I would get that tested along with thyroid antibodies TPOAbs, TgAbs and TRAb.

[Plantome in reply to Coconutty]

My gp won’t test FT3 or other antibodies. She leaves that to the endo, assuming I’m referred

[Greekchick in reply to Plantome]

Hi Plantome, please - run not walk, to an endo ASAP. GPs are not competent to deal with thyroid. There are treatments for you particularly given your other medical problems. You need thorough blood work that includes blood testing for antibodies for Graves. I do not want to scare you but If you are hyperthyroid you are at risk for additional heart issues as untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to Afib.

Hoping you feel better soon and wishing you all the best. Keep us posted.

[Plantome in reply to Greekchick]

Thanks. Will make sure I’m referred.

[ling in reply to Plantome]

Hi Plantome.

I've read through your other posts.

If its not the heart, based on the basic TSH and FT4 results, it would be worth checking out the thyroid further.

But as many have advised in the previous post and here, in order to initiate treatment, the type of thyroid condition you have needs to be confirmed via all the tests mentioned, which would include FT3 and the various thyroid antibodies. You see, assuming u were hyperthyroid, doctors would need to know what type of hyperthyroid condition you have in order to administer the correct treatment. The thyroid antibodies tests will diagnose that.

If your doctors will not refer you nor test you for these, then they are the wrong doctors for you, and I'm sorry but you need to get new doctors asap. Reading through your posts, it appears you have put up with these awful symptoms for a couple of months and they are making you feel increasingly ill. These thyroid tests are simple blood tests, and once diagnosis is confirmed, you can at least begin treatment and hopefully will feel better.

And yes, you are right to be worried. If indeed you are hyperthyroid, this will have implications for the heart, which is why it's so important to get the hyperthyroidism under control if that indeed is the problem. My father had a pacemaker and was hyperthyroid which caused severe tachycardia.

I wish you well, and deeply empathise.

[Plantome in reply to ling]

Thanks for such a detailed response. I will definitely follow up with an endo, even if I have to pay myself. Hopefully my gp will refer me, but the instruction on the blood result was to repeat tsh/FT4 in three months’ time. I’m not waiting that long.

[ling in reply to Plantome]

Yes, go ahead and check it out since symptoms are not improving, though FT4 is now come onto top of range.

Just saw your new post re heart failure. That too is worth checking out. One of your posts mentioned having an Echo done not long ago, is this correct?, and heart function not too much changed, though the heart is enlarged. There are certain standard symptoms for heart failure, but there are also people who experience uncommon symptoms for heart failure.

All the best.

[Plantome in reply to ling]

The echo was broadly unchanged. EF is moderately impaired (45-50%) and left ventricular slightly enlarged, but my cardiologist says this would not cause my symptoms.

[Valarian]

Your TSH isn't completely suppressed, but with FT4 right at the top of the range, FT3 might well be over. If you are hyper, it isn't unusual for FT3 to be the first to go over and the last to come down.

You could get FT3 tested privately - there are details elsewhere on this forum and, I think, on thyroid.uk