Help with results please

[Flamingo60]

Hi, my daughter has just received test results and I would like to understand what they mean please.

TSH 5.93 (0.27 - 4.2)

T4 15 (12 - 22)

T3 5.6. (3.1 - 6.8)

No antibodies present and vitamins all in range.

Are these results cause for concern or should they just be monitored?

Thank you for your help.

[greygoose]

Is this the first thyroid test she's had?

Her TSH is high and her FT4 is on the low-side, but her FT3 is good. Put those together and it rather looks like her thyroid is failing. But, you can't judge on just one blood test. She would need another one in about three months time to confirm. Even then, her doctor is likely to just say 'subclinical, no action needed'! They like the TSH to go over 10 before they will do anything.

[Flamingo60 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you greygoose she has had tests previously but NHS so no T3. Her last TSH was 3.3 and prior to that 4.6. It seems to fluctuate. I don’t have details of T4 or range unfortunately.

[greygoose in reply to Flamingo60]

TSH does fluctuate, that's the nature of the beast. Were all the blood draws done at the same time of day?

[Flamingo60 in reply to greygoose]

I’m not sure and appreciate that different times of day would affect the result. She now knows to have tests early and on an empty stomach I.E. water only.

[greygoose in reply to Flamingo60]

But, anyway, she does need two consecutive over-range TSH to even get a 'diagnosis' of subclinical hypo. So, she does need another test soon.

[Flamingo60 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you greygoose your help is much appreciated. She is going to test again in a couple of months.

[greygoose in reply to Flamingo60]

You're welcome.