Thyroid function rest

[Llinigg]

The doctors phoned me today and told me that my thyroid function test is 40 (I cannot remember if he said T3 or T4) and said it should be 17. My thyroid was 4 times over and now it's only 2 times I think but it has come down on its own. The doctor wants me to take thyroid medication (can't remember how to spell it carbminazol) but I don't want to. Is it dangerous if I do not take the medication? And has anyone's come down on its own before? After it being too high?

Thank you llinos

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

It can be dangerous for anyone to have very high thyroid hormone levels.

You really need to be sure what was said. There is a world of difference between a FT4 of 40 and an FT3 of 40! (I suspect if you had an FT3 of 40 you would be in hospital.)

But you also need to know the reference intervals (ranges). They vary by lab so you need to check.

If you are in the UK (I am assuming you are), then you might be able to use the NHS app (or similar in England, or contact the GP surgery.

For most people, it is much safer to take Carbimazole than to avoid taking it. (You can have bad effects from Carbimazole, in which case you could switch to Propylthiouracil.)

And make sure you collect all this information properly. It could be important to be able to check back at some point in the future.

Have to say, I'm somewhat surprised your doctor hasn't been chasing after you!

[Llinigg in reply to helvella]

Hi thank you for your reply I will phone back tomorrow and see they have been chasing me it's me I'm just sacred to take the medication. Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Llinigg]

I hope you get some replies from people who have experience of where you are. That is far more helpful!

[PurpleNails Administrator]

I’ve taken carbimazole for nearly 4 years.  There can be very rare side affects, which you should be warned about & reading the patient information leaflet (which the pharmacist must provide with the medication) will tell you what to be vigilant for. 

For full thyroid test you need to know what your TSH is and your FT4 & FT3.  FT3 is the active hormone.  Your FT4 may have come down but it’s possible your FT3 is still high,  or lower than expected. You need the result & range to know. 

Has doctor done anything other than prescribe carbimazole? Has a referral to endocrinologist specialist been arranged.  Further blood test eg thyroid antibodies? 

[pennyannie]

Hello Llinigg and welcome to the forum :

We do need more information to be able to help you better :

I have taken Carbimazole for around 1 year and was very much better on it - I was diagnosed with Graves Disease.

Do you know what your diagnosis is and can you see from the blood test which antibodies are said to be causing this -

with initials such as - TPO / TgAB / TRab / TSI / ?

or anything reading - thyroid receptor blocking antibodies ?

[Llinigg]

Hi they have said I've got grave disease this but I don't no what my levels or anything like that are I am with the hospital they will be phoning today I think but my thyroid has come down on its own a lot that's why I thought I'd just see how it would go with out medication. It all started after I had my appendix taken out and about 7 months before that I gave birth.

[mistydog in reply to Llinigg]

Most likely it was giving birth that triggered it, quite common. Take the meds and get copies of tests so you can compare (and also be clear on what is happening)

[Cazzy20]

If you get the NHS app and the necessary sign in from your GP you will then have instant access to your test results rather than relying on a telephone call. The results also give you the ranges. It’s so useful.

[chrisbuy63]

My friend had very high levels of thyroid hormones and an undetectable tsh and was EVENTUALLY diagnosed with a severely overactive thyroid, she was on the loo several times times a day and eating like a horse but lost a ton of weight , went from size 20 to size 10, that was the only good symptom, the rest was pretty negative and she started having trouble with her teeth through loss of bone/minerals etc and is now looking at a full set of dentures at the ripe old age of 35! She left for sometime before getting a proper diagnosis, she enjoyed the extra energy and weight loss at first. There is another treatment instead of carbimazole it is Propylthiouracil, she has just been changed to that after 3 years of Carbimazole as the doctor did not want her to take that for longer than was absolutely necessary. There are risks with it (pregnancy must be avoided) whilst on Carbimazole but the risks of unchecked hyperthyroid are serious, so you must discus the pros and cons with the doctor.