TSH high but T4 within range?: Hi all I have a... - Thyroid UK

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TSH high but T4 within range?

pebblesh profile image
6 Replies

Hi all

I have a question about the above. Looking at my recent results - the pattern seems to be that my TSH has been too high but T4 is within range. And conversely when TSH is lower then T4 too high. I know there are a lot of other factors involved as advised previously (including T3). But I was wondering why and whether TSH is often the focus for GPs and whether this is high or low according to range. Any insights on this please. Should the focus in fact be T4 and T3 within range. Am confused.

Thank you.

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pebblesh
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Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

Really to reply meaningfully we need to know your actual results.

pebblesh profile image
pebblesh in reply to Lalatoot

I have posted most recent ones - it was I just noticed this was a pattern. Hence my question - but as you say maybe it is not meaningful by itself.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

pebblesh

Should the focus in fact be T4 and T3 within range.

Yes, but doctors are erroneously taught that TSH is all that matters, which is why so many of us remain ill.

TSH is important for diagnosis, but once on thyroid hormone replacement it shouldn't be used to assess thyroid status and adjust dose of Levo. It's the FT4 and FT3 results which show our actual hormone levels and these should be used to determine whether or not we are adequately dosed, FT3 being the most important as this is the active hormone that every cell in our bodies need. Low T3 = symptoms.

pebblesh profile image
pebblesh

Thank you so much for that. My blood results and symptoms seem to indicate this might be the case for me. I don't have continuous past levels of T3 to go by unfortunately (only recently tested after I had asked) but it is something for me to monitor in the future.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

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Was test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

pebblesh profile image
pebblesh

Yes. It was.

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