Help with my sister's results - possible hypothyroidism?

[liaratsoni]

Hi everyone,

I recently got my sister a thyroid blood test as she is experiencing symptoms and seems in a similar state to me a few years before my delayed diagnosis: she has coldness, fatigue, nausea and inability to eat normal portions of food, headaches, palpitations, gets ill more frequently etc.

I have secondary hypo and was diagnosed with TSH 1.8 (0.3-4.2) T3 3.1 (3.1-6.8) and T4 13 (12-22) and no antibodies. I have also recently discovered that every female member of my dads side has thyroid disease bar my aunt who was told she has an 'irregular shaped' thyroid. Cousin, nan and nans sister all had thyroid disease.

The results of her test came back today as follows:

TSH 1.94 (0.27-4.2)

FREE T3 4.89 (3.1-6.8)

FREE T4 13 (12-22)

Like me she also has no antibodies.

Am I right in thinking this doesn't seem normal? I had though the average person has a TSH below 1 and the T4 seems way to low for someone with normal thyroid function right? And is the T3 OK?

Huge thanks!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

liaratsoni

I had though the average person has a TSH below 1

No. That is for someone on thyroid hormone replacement (Levo).

A normal healthy person usually has a TSH of no more than 2, often around 1 so your sister's TSH of 1.94 could be her normal level. However, her FT4 is very close to the bottom of the range, just 10% through range. At the moment her body is doing a reasonable job of making as much FT3 as possible but that may change.

Because of the family history and your secondary hypothyroidism, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that your sister may also have secondary hypothyroidism.

[liaratsoni in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ah thank you!

Is she unlikely to receive treatment at this point? As I said she is symptomatic and I am concerned that if she is not treated she will deteriorate as I did. My endocrinologist has been very receptive to thyroid issues and knew all about secondary so I think he would be receptive to her but I am wondering if her T3 level would impact on his decision to try treatment?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to liaratsoni]

liaratsoni

Who knows. The BMJ Summary says:

bestpractice.bmj.com/topics...

Diagnostic evaluation of central hypothyroidism includes serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (T4). In central hypothyroidism, free T4 is low and TSH may be low, normal, or minimally elevated. Magnetic resonance imaging may reveal sellar or parasellar pathology.

so there is no mention of FT3. It depends on whether the endo is happy just to go with TSH and FT4 levels.

[liaratsoni in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you again! Hopefully we can get her treatment!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to liaratsoni]

Good luck

Do let us know how things go. Can she see the same endo as yourself? That would be good as then the family link can be used and hopefully the endo will join the dots

[liaratsoni in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you I will! Yes I have just helped her book a consultation with my endo so hopefully the family link will help

[Jamima in reply to liaratsoni]

Hi liaratsoni - I’ve had a thyroid result very similar to both yours and your sister. My gp tells me I’m fine, I’m not, and my life has ground to a halt through exhaustion and weakness. Can you tell me how you finally got diagnosed and what treatments you’ve had and results. Many thanks.

[liaratsoni in reply to Jamima]

Hi,

I had to go to a private endocrinologist for diagnosis and treatment. I am currently on 75mcg t4 and 10mcgt t3 but very unwell as levels have dropped: both were at 70% a while ago and I felt better but now T3 has dropped from 5.6 to 4.8 (range 3.5-6.5) and feel unwell but I am having problems raising due to adrenal issues.

[Jamima in reply to liaratsoni]

Thank you, I’m trying to book a telephone consult with private endo, I too have cortisol and dhea problems, results came back as stage 2 hpa axis dysfunction so I’m just trying to get answers. I hope you get some answers too.

[liaratsoni in reply to Jamima]

Thank you I wish the best for you too - hope your consult goes well!

[Jamima in reply to liaratsoni]

Many thanks.

[humanbean]

If you want to know what "normal" TSH levels are in people with no known thyroid disease see this link :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[liaratsoni in reply to humanbean]

Thank you

[Snooperkitty21 in reply to liaratsoni]

Hi Liaratsoni, I’m just wondering how your sister made out with diagnosis and possible treatment. My numbers are similar and I’m looking for answers and stumbled upon your post!

[liaratsoni in reply to Snooperkitty21]

Hi! She hasn't been officially diagnosed yet but is on levothyroxine - currently at 50mcg. Since being on levo she has improved a lot - appetite and ability to eat is back to normal, fatigue improved and no headaches or palpitations! If you have similar issues I would say its worth looking into!

[Snooperkitty21 in reply to liaratsoni]

Thank you for the reply! I have an endo already due to diabetes so I’ll discuss with him in June when I see him. My family doctor was willing to do a trial but I am trying to get my low ferritin up first to see if that’s my main issue (it’s 29 but was 11!).

[liaratsoni in reply to Snooperkitty21]

No problem! My ferritin is also currently that same level so I understand the struggle!