My son & myself have had terrible symptoms such as extreme weight gain (myself) hair loss, fatigue, anxiety, bruising this list goes on. This has been going on for over four years.
After vast research, I demanded the GP to send us for an ultrasound which showed nodules on both of our Thyroids. Both being U3 and U4. My son is only 19. Im absolutely beside myself with worry.
After pleading with the Gp to send us for blood tests, We had Free T3 & 4 TSH and TPA. My results are normal (apparently) However, my Thyroid peroxidase antibody test came back at 6.4 however, the endocrinologist states I’m fine and has said shes not going to do anything.
My sons showed he has sub clinical hyperthyroidism. I’m so worried as I’ve read it is very unusual in adolescents males.
My sons levels are:
FreeT3 6.3
FreeT4 15.5
TSH 2.8
I feel I need some support.
Emily
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MB_4
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Please can you post both yours and your sons test results with reference ranges (numbers in brackets) as labs have different ranges. This helps us to answer your questions better.
Thyroid nodules are very common & the vast majority do not affect thyroid function or cause any issues at all.
Does the scan report give any other details or specify the size of nodule / nodular area. Do they suggest a fine needle aspiration should be done?
Do you have ranges for FT4 & FT3 & your antibodies.
Did your son have TPO antibodies tested?
I guessing the FT3 is very slightly above range & FT4 & TSH are not? Fluctuating levels can occur without autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s) so elevated FT3 may be transient.
Occasionally nodules can hyper function, but you would expect low or suppressed TSH (<0.01) and permanently raised FT4 & FT3.
You have TPO antibodies, so you have confirmation of autoimmune attacking thyroid, antibodies “clear up” after the damage occurs. As your levels are ok & in range “normal” - doctors wont look to treat until they approach abnormal.
Your son needs antibodies test too.
His FT3 elevation with mid range TSH suggests fluctuating levels. TSH follows behind what Frees are doing.
With regard to my son ..you’re probably right. He goes up and down with his mood along with actual physical appearance change. The same with myself. You seem very knowledgeable- why do you think this is occurring in both of us? He hasn’t had Antibodies as yet.
My sons showed he has sub clinical hyperthyroidism. I’m so worried as I’ve read it is very unusual in adolescents males.
I think you mean sub-clinical hypothyroidism, not hyper. With hyperthyroidism the TSH is so low it's unreadable. Your son's TSH at 2.8 is probably about mid-range and on the verge of hypothyroidism.
It's true that thyroid problems are less prevellant in males than if females of any age - there is no age for thyroid problems, you can even be born with them - but I wouldn't call it that unusual.
To make any sense of any of the other readings, we need the ranges, because they vary from lab to lab. So, if you could post all the numbers for you and your son - results and ranges - that would help us help you. But, don't worry, it doesn't sound like there's any urgent problem for either of you.
Yes, I understand the sub-clinical bit, but he's not any sort of hyper. He's hypo, and probably has Hashi's. Did they check his Tg antibodies as the TPOab were negative?
Thank you so much. No we haven’t had antibodies for him as yet.
Why do you think this could be occurring in both of us at the same time? We have had a lot of stress in our lives. We have also been living in a water damaged moldy property…
Well, the mold won't help, of course, but Hashi's can be hereditary. So, if you have high antibodies, his really should be tested. Both TPOab and TgAB.
Hello, my thyroid symptoms worsened when I lived in a mouldy property, I used to run a dehumidifier all the time and that helped enormously. I have read that mould can worsen thyroid symptoms.
My son hasn’t had the TPO antibodies as his blood request was from the GP - Mine was from the Endocrinologist so was a little more extensive. He will be seeing the endocrinologist soon and I’m wanting the full panel !!
We have always taken vitamins
Although my son was slightly Vit D deficient.
He is also slightly deficient in folate. (Don’t worry we won’t be replacing with folic acid)
Get full thyroid and vitamin testing privately and then see thyroid specialist
Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists
Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations so that might eventually transfer
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reply.
Both of us have undergone FNA - mine came back Benign. We are still waiting for my son’s results.
I made sure they did the bloods first thing in the morning 8am as that’s when levels are most stable. They wanted to do them in the afternoon- I refused.
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With hyperthyroidism the TSH is so low it's unreadable. Your son's TSH at 2.8 is probably about mid-range and on the verge of hypothyroidism. 
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