One low reading

[KatrinaC]

Wonder if someone can help. My reading for my thyroid are this. With the T4 being below the limit. I understand that the TSH Level is okay so I haven't got thyroid issues. I have another blood test in three months. I am really struggling with CFS and wonder if this is part of the cause?

Any suggestions or help

Serum TSH level 1.72 mIU/L [0.27 - 4.2]

Serum free T4 level 11.8 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]; Below low reference limit

[greygoose]

To have an FT4 below range you would have to have a thyroid problem of some sort. No way is that normal. TSH is not a thyroid hormone, it's a pituitary hormone. When the pituitary senses that thyroid hormone levels are too low, it is supposed to produce more TSH to stimulate the thyroid to make more hormone. So, it looks like the problem with your thyroid is that it's not getting enough stimulation - i.e. you have a pituitary problem. Or a hypothalamus problem. What we call Central Hypo.

This needs further investigation. The problem is that doctors tend to go by TSH alone, and have never even heard of Central Hypo - or if they have, they believe it is so rare that it's not worth investigating. So, you have to do your research and know what you're talking about before you confront them.

I am really struggling with CFS and wonder if this is part of the cause?

I would say you don't even have CFS, and that your problems are due to low thyroid hormone.

[KatrinaC in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose that is really helpful. I've had a relapse of ME and I think this is linked to my thyroid I will do some research. That is brilliant x

[greygoose in reply to KatrinaC]

You're welcome.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

KatrinaC

Central Hypothyroidism is indicated by low, normal or minimally elevated TSH with low/below range FT4.

Here are some articles from reliable sources about Central Hypothyroidism.

Your GP can look at BMJ Best Practice for information - here is something you can read without needing to be subscribed:

bestpractice.bmj.com/topics...

and another article which explains it:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

and another here:

endocrinologyadvisor.com/ho...

and another one:

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

A long read which you might find useful:

thyroidpatients.ca/2020/01/...

[KatrinaC in reply to SeasideSusie]

thank you so much