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Low TSH, Normal T4 - Help!

Posted , 9 users are following.

NikkiMorgan
NikkiMorgan

Hi all, I;m really hoping someone could help clarify some things for me.

I've been Hypothyroid for 14 years, treated with T4 only Levothyroxine, my levels are rarely stable for more than a year and have been treated with anything from 100mcg - 175mcg over this time.

My main problem now is in the past 9 months I've had a real return of many hypo symptoms, my weight has increased, my hair has thinned and fallen out, my skin is dry, my eyebrows have thinned, I'm extremely cold and of course the crippling fatigue. I've had two blood tests during this time, as a result of my first one my Levothyroxine was reduced much to my dismay from 150mcg to 125mcg, despite my protests my GP refused to do anything until I had tried this dose for 4 months and had a further blood test.

My results today were TSH - 0.08, T4 - 13. My GP has said that as my T4 is in range that there is no further action required, I'm feeling really dissapointed as I'm still feeling incredibly hypo and really struggling with the fatigue, I've arrange to speak to my GP tommorow and am hoping he'll agree to test my T3 levels as I'm starting to think their might be a conversion problem, can anyone clarify is this might be a possibilty based on my results or have any advice that I can speak to my GP, any help is really appreciated.

Thanks again, Nikki xx

1 like, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • crapribs
    crapribs NikkiMorgan

    Posted

    Do you have a thyroid? Is not the gp should not rely on tsh... You want ft3 done getting the labs to test this is abit if a struggle in lot of  places ft3 is the most important test this is how much thyroxine you have available to be used by the cells... Ft4 is just what's circulating! 
    • NikkiMorgan
      NikkiMorgan crapribs

      Posted

      Yep still have a thyroid, hoping the GP will agree to test T3, but not holding out much hope as he doesn't seem very clued up with thyroid disease. 
  • dawn_38361
    dawn_38361 NikkiMorgan

    Posted

    Hi Nikki

    Sorry to hear you're feeling so bad, I recently started taking Levo they started me on 50 as that's the starting dose, I'm new to this but I have put loads of weight on feel pains in what feels like my lower bones in my legs, freezing feet and hands and then the next minute sweating x it's a nightmare. I'm also deficient in vit d. Back tomorrow for more blood tests and hoping that sometime soon I get some answers. I have decided that if I can't get any answers to improve my health in the next month I am taking it further via complaining to the practise manager and if need be higher then higher. We all have the right to feel well. The minute they refuse that .... They are not doing their work x we have the right to tests explanations and correct diagnosis x best of luck and keep in touch

    Dawn

    • bessybessY1
      bessybessY1 dawn_38361

      Posted

      sadhi, dawn, I have just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism,and been put on 50 ,I was glad to see that you have the same problems as me.

      I also have pain in my lower legs making my walking difficult ,I also am cold most of the time ,but I also have heavy sweating from my head , so much so that it runs through my head face and neck 

      I am on my first week if the tablets and every bone in my body has ached, plus i am very lethargic ,i feel terrible,!! i am hoping that i will feel better soon x 

    • dawn_38361
      dawn_38361 bessybessY1

      Posted

      Hi there,

      I've been on the Levo 50 for 3 weeks now but apparently it can take upto 6 or 7 weeks to get into the system, I feel like the heavy fog has lifted and it is a little easier. The same feelings in my legs but the doctor doesn't think they are linked. It does help us all getting together reporting on our issues as then at least we know it's not all in our mind !!!

      Keep in touch and let me know how you are feeling as time goes on

      Kind regards best of luck

      Dawn x

    • LAHs
      LAHs dawn_38361

      Posted

      Dawn, the "feelings" in your legs ARE probably linked to your hypothyrdic symptoms. My NDT dose is marginal, i.e. all my T3 is used up by the time I  wake up and my legs hurt (walking to the bathroom) first thing in the morning until I have taken my Armour and then all clears up and I'm great 'till about midnight. Get your T3 measued and make sure you are at least 1/2 way up the scale. If you are not, then make sure that you are not a "feeble" converter (of T4 to T3), as I am. But that is step 2. It is the lack of T3 which causes the bad feelings of many types.
  • LAHs
    LAHs NikkiMorgan

    Posted

    You are quite right to ask for T3 to be measured. That is the hormone your cells need to give you energy and a sense of well being. If your doctor has read about all this at all, reverse T3,(rT3) would also be a good measurement to make. rT3 will tell you if your T3 is getting to your cells or if it is being "blocked".

    If you are new to this, you may have to change doctors unless the one you have is interested in endocrinology.

  • Scazzoh
    Scazzoh NikkiMorgan

    Posted

    Hi Nikki, your T4 at 13 is low. What is the range? If your thyroid is not producing enough T4 then there won't be enough to convert to T3, which is the active hormone. That is why your symptoms are classic underactive thyroid ones.  If your doctor doesn't think your symptoms are thyroid related, what does he think is causing them? It is a disgrace that he has decided to reduce your dose of levo, which is the T4 hormone. Find a sympathetic doctor who will test free T3 and dose you according to symptoms and not lab results. 
  • antoinette45875
    antoinette45875 NikkiMorgan

    Posted

    Hi

    forget the GP, go to an endocrinologist, the thyroid is their specialty.

    after 33 years of being on mediction, I am having symptoms and I am told it is because I lost weight, which was intentional.

    Wish you the best.

    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 antoinette45875

      Posted

      Hi antoinette, since losing weight have you reduced your dose of thyroid meds? If not, this might be why you are getting symptoms again. Reportedly, as a guide, one needs 1.7mcg of thyroxine per kg of body weight.
  • dawn_38361
    dawn_38361 NikkiMorgan

    Posted

    Hi Nikki.

                 I did ask to be referred to an endocrinologist byt they said no. They do not do testing for T3 levels either. Is this the NHS state now as I am in the UK, private is not an option for me. 

  • anne72835
    anne72835 NikkiMorgan

    Posted

    Hi, doesn't low TSH (below lower range) mean that the pituitary is not detecting a shortage of thyroxine therefore not stimulating the thyroxine gland to produce more.

    I have recently realised that I should not have been drinking caffeine containing drinks (as well as not eating) within half an hour of taking Thyroxine medication. My TSH has now dropped to 0.05 (range 0.35 - 5.50). If I am correct that means it is now in the hyper zone and that I need to cut medication not increase it yet the message is only to make a routine appt. Your thoughts??

    • Scazzoh
      Scazzoh anne72835

      Posted

      Hi Anne, the pituitary gland only detects T4, the storage hormone. It cannot detect whether T4 is properly converting to T3, which is the active one. Also, lab ranges for TSH differ from area to area, so it is by no means an exact science. However, doctors generally slavishly use the TSH test as an indicator of thyroid problems, rather than treating by symptoms. And, as you know, the only available treatment on the NHS is the synthetic T4 which was 'shoe horned' into the market in the seventies without any double blind placebo trials. 
    • anne72835
      anne72835 Scazzoh

      Posted

      Hi Scazzoh, thanks for your reply to my post.

      I went to see a locum doctor because I considered it more urgent than "routine" - it meant waiting 2weeks!. Locum suggested dropping meds 25mcg from 150.  That seemed very little and we finally agreed on 100mcg.  This assumes that not eating or drinking my 2 cups of morning tea has made this huge difference.  What do you think?

      I have also been suffering from really bad muscle weakness and pain which escalated overnight, spread from abdomen and legs to shoulders and fingers.  Clear blood tests so no response from doc. Surviving on iboprofen.  Stress also a factor - supporting neighbour with secondary breast cancer.

  • NikkiMorgan
    NikkiMorgan

    Posted

    Hi all thanks for your comments, unfortunately my GP refused to test my T3. He said it was insignificant and he would 'get in trouble' if he did. Feeling really disappointed as still feeling rubbish and it's impacting my job as a nurse. Anyone have any experience of this or can offer any advice. Can I ask for a referral to a endocrinologist, a specific one on the list who will test
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 NikkiMorgan

      Posted

      It's worth trying a different GP at the same surgery. They do have different views on the matter. Say you're still having underactive symptoms so something else must be wrong and that you know T4 has to be converted to T3 by the body, and you are wondering if your body is doing this conversion properly. This will give your GP the justification they need for the extra tests.
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