High TSH, normal/high FT4 and high TT3? What is going on?

[Tomchr]

Hi,

I am 47 years old and have been feeling quite sluggish for a very long time. The past years, I have noticed the following symptoms: tinnitus (constant high frequency tone), swollen/sore fingers on waking, hair fall, hairstrands have become VERY thin/fine, sometimes sore from teeth clenching on waking, fingernails are slightly curved downwards, frequent dry cough, blood pressure is normal with pulse around 50-60 bpm, sometimes as low as 45 bpm. Thirsty all the time and a healthy appetite. From what I can understand my D, B12, Iron/Ferritin and folate levels are ok. However, my Albumin levels are elevated. What I don't understand is that I have high TSH with normal Free T4 and high Total T3. Is this subclinical hypothyroidism or possibly secondary hyperthyroidism?

TSH 5,09 mU/l (range 0.4-4.6 mU/l)

T4(free) 18,1 pmol/L (range 9,1 - 23,8 pmol/L)

T3(total) 3,6 nmol/L (range 1,10 - 2,50 nmol/l)

TRAb <0.8 IU/L

Anti-TG <12 kIU/L (negative)

Anti-TPO <28,0 kIU/L

Albumin 50 g/L (range 36-45)

D-Vitamin 174 nmol/L

B12 638 pmol/L

Iron 17 umol/L (range 9-34)

Ferritin 142 ug/L (range 12-300)

Transferrin saturation 0.33 (range 0.20-0.50)

Transferrin 1.99 g/L (range 1.91-3.26)

Folate 49,4 nmol/L (range >8.6)

HBa1c 32 mmol/mol (range <48), calculated=5.1%

Average blood glucose 99.17 mg/dL (5.5 mmol/L)

Cholesterol 3.9 (normal <5.0)

Cholesterol HDL 1.26 (Normal >1.0)

Cholesterol LDL 2.2 (normal <3.0)

Cholesterol Non-HDL 2.6 (normal <3.9)

Cholesterol VLDL 0.4 (normal <0.9)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Are you currently taking any vitamin supplements, of are your vitamin levels naturally that good?

What’s the range on iron and ferritin results

Are you male or female

Have you tested cholesterol and HBa1c levels (sugar)

[Tomchr in reply to SlowDragon]

Here are some additional results:

HBa1c 32 mmol/mol (range <48), calculated=5.1%

Ferritin 142 ug/L (range 12-300)

Folate 49,4 nmol/L (range >8.6)

Iron 17 umol/L (range 9-34)

Transferrin saturation 0.33 (range 0.20-0.50)

Transferrin 1.99 g/L (range 1.91-3.26)

Cholesterol 3.9 (normal <5.0)

Cholesterol HDL 1.26 (Normal >1.0)

Cholesterol LDL 2.2 (normal <3.0)

Cholesterol Non-HDL 2.6 (normal <3.9)

Cholesterol VLDL 0.4 (normal <0.9)

I am male. I have been supplementing around 11 months with magnesium, selen, zinc, Vitamin C and vitamin B complex. Before supplementing my cholesterol was 5.0. However, my overall vitamin levels were quite good before as well. Ferritin was a little higher at 173 ug/L a year ago.

After feeling sluggish for the last 8 years which I somehow thought was normal, I started noticing significant hairfall after wash around two years ago. 20-30 hairstrands would come out just by combing it wet compared to 3-4 strands before. Now my hairstrands are frizzy, superdry and very fine allover. Density and growth is still intact, though.Suddenly, I started experiencing tinnitus and teeth clenching on an almost daily basis. Occasionally, I would be lying in bed freezing hands and feet. Other times, I would have nights sweats. Another thing, I will occasionally feel right side abdominal tenderness.

About a year ago, I had blood tests to check my thyroid function. Here a year after supplementing, the results are the more or less same, ie. High TSH, normal FT4 and HIGH TT3. I am still tired, sluggish, experiencing tinnitus, occasional teeth clenching, hair is frizzy, dry and fine.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Tomchr]

Remember to stop taking vitamin B complex a week before all blood tests

B complex contains biotin and biotin can falsely affect test results

Iron is perhaps a bit low

Do you eat red meat?

SeasideSusie or humanbean are very good on iron/ferritin

They might pop along

[Tomchr in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, biotin has an influence on TSH/T4/T3 values, if taken just before blood tests. From what I have read Biotin lowers TSH and raises T4 and T3.

A Ferritin value of +100 ug/L is usually recommended. Looking at my transferrin levels of 1.99 g/L, I would think that I have excess iron.

I eat red meat around 2-3 times a week.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Tomchr]

From what I have read Biotin lowers TSH and raises T4 and T3.

Not sure anyone can say for definite what affect biotin has

[Beckyrut75]

Sounds like maybe over active thyroird or some type of auto immune desease .

[Tomchr in reply to Beckyrut75]

Yes, but my heart rate is generally low - ~60ish bpm. My antibody levels are low. My tinnitus is continuous high pitch, not pulsating. Hairstrands are dry, frizzy and thin. They do not break but fall out.

[klr31]

Are you taking thyroxine? Has your blood sugar been checked?

Karen

[Tomchr in reply to klr31]

No, I have not started any treatment. My doctor does not seem to know that much other than following the general protocol looking at TSH, cholesterol, B12, D and iron status.

Regarding my blood sugar:

HBa1c 32 mmol/mol (range <48), calculated=5.1%

Average blood glucose 99.17 mg/dL (5.5 mmol/L)

- Tom

[klr31 in reply to Tomchr]

Unfortunately that's not unusual. I just wondered about your blood sugars as you said you were thirsty. Your TSH is over range so you need to keep an eye on it as you may need thyroxine eventually.

Karen