Low TSH and T4: I know you guys are great at... - Thyroid UK

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Low TSH and T4

Bubbles789 profile image
8 Replies

I know you guys are great at understanding results. So please advise as I’m totally confused.

I’m am taking 100 micro grams of levothyroxine daily and have been on this dose over a year.

2 months ago my thyroid results where; TSH 0.07 (0.27 4.2) T4 19.9 (12-22) T3 4.5 (3.1-6.8) and I was happy with no issues

Presently; (same ranges as above). TSH 0.18 T4 - 10 suddenly I’m feeling tired, muscles hurting, headaches etc

Also my plasma creative protein (0-5) has gone from 2 to 22

Serum gamma GT level (0-45) 69

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (0-15) 28

Thanks for any help as my doctor doesn’t understand why my results have changed in two months.

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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Bubbles789

I can see from previous posts that at one time you were taking NDT and latterly changed to Levo plus T3.

Are you on Levo only now?

If so why did you stop the T3?

2 months ago my thyroid results where; TSH 0.07 (0.27 4.2) T4 19.9 (12-22) T3 4.5 (3.1-6.8) and I was happy with no issues

Presently; (same ranges as above). TSH 0.18 T4 - 10 suddenly I’m feeling tired, muscles hurting, headaches etc

Your new results show that your FT4 is under range suggesting undermedication yet your TSH is still low in range.

When did you take your last dose of Levo before the test?

Do you take Biotin or a B Complex or any supplement containing biotin? If so did you leave it off for 3-7 days before the test?

Also my plasma creative protein (0-5) has gone from 2 to 22

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (0-15) 28

These are both inflammation markers and being over range show that you have inflammation.

These results, coupled with your large drop in FT4, could suggest Hashimoto's. I know that a previous test showed no elevated antibodies, but because antibodies fluctuate they could be raised another time, plus it's possible to have Hashi's without raised antibodies.

Could there be any other cause for inflammation? Recent infection? Rheumatoid arthritis, etc?

Serum gamma GT level (0-45) 69

Raised GGT level can be a sign that your liver isn't working properly. Has your GP discussed this result with you?

Bubbles789 profile image
Bubbles789 in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you for replying SeasideSusie.My Levo was taken the night before and I gave blood at 10am the next morning.

I gave up T3 as I had two orders go missing and with COVID it was a nightmare trying to source but to be fair I have been fine without it.

I never took any supplements the week before the blood test.

The only other thing is I did have COVID about 6 weeks ago. Could that affect me now?

I have had about 5 tests since 2016 all negative for Hashi but I didn’t realise you could have without raised antibodies.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Bubbles789

Bubbles789

My Levo was taken the night before and I gave blood at 10am the next morning.

That will have given a false high FT4 result.

We should leave a gap of 24 hours between last dose of Levo and blood test to get a measure of the normal amount of circulating hormone. When we take Levo at night we adjust timing for a couple of days before the test to provide for the correct time gap.

The only other thing is I did have COVID about 6 weeks ago. Could that affect me now?

So little is known about Covid and how it can affect us. I had high hormone levels for a few months after my booster jab and I've had to slightly adjust my dose, so it's very possible that having Covid so recently may have skewed results. Plus you may still be having effects of Covid, my daughter had the Omicron version and suffered no more than having a bad cold but it's left her with tinnitus. It's not possible to know how an individual will be affected. Maybe that's the reason for your raised CRP and ESR, but I don't know about the raised GGT I really think that is something for your GP to look into.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Also get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Bubbles789 profile image
Bubbles789 in reply to SlowDragon

Hi SlowDragon,My vitamins are always low. I do supplement but not 100% it’s difficult as you probably know, getting all supplements in the correct times.

I couldn’t tell you all the brands but they were recommended on the Facebook page.

Thanks again x

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Bubbles789

Aiming for good vitamin levels

Vitamin D at least 80nmol (40ng/ml USA or Eu units)

Serum B12 at least over 500

Active B12 at least over 70

Folate and ferritin at least half way through range

jimh111 profile image
jimh111

It is likely COVID has affected your results, hopefully short term.

Having the blood taken about 12 hours after your last levothyroxine dose is ideal, it will give a result that reflects your average fT4 level, similar for TSH and fT3. If you were to leave 24 hours between your last dose and taking the blood you would get a false fT4 figure but only about 5 percent lower.

If you have the option I would take a little liothyronine for a few weeks until my body recovers. You didn't measure fT3 but it is possible you have low T3 syndrome which is how the body responds to an infection. Hopefully you will recover within a few months.

Bubbles789 profile image
Bubbles789 in reply to jimh111

Thanks for your help

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