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Original poster

Anyone understand Thyroid Results? Please help me understand it.

19 replies

RichTeaAreCrap · 07/09/2013 19:10

I had some bloods taken last week. Short history, I have been feeling awful for almost 2 years now. GP not done too much to investigate but I went privately for some blood tests.

She examined me and said my thyroid gland was very 'full'. It is, I have always looked a bit swollen around my neck. Anyway, she took some blood tests and I have just had the results. I don't understand anything about thyroid problems so wondered if anyone that understood could tell me what they mean. I assume that there is a problem with my Free T4 as it is over the range she tested for and she has highlighted it to me.

If I put the ranges and my results does it make sense to anyone?

TSH - Range 0.4 - 4.0 - my result 0.905
Free T4 - Range 12 -22 - my result 24.1
Free T3 - Range 3.1 - 6.8 - my result 5.9

Does this mean I have an over or underactive thyroid? Or something else? Maybe this explains why I have felt so bad for ages.

OP posts:

Freudianslap · 07/09/2013 19:23

Results would be suggestive of hyperthyroidism which is an overactive thyroid.

In what ways have you been feeling unwell?

SunnyIntervals · 07/09/2013 19:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 07/09/2013 20:04

Thank you. You see I feel that I have the symptoms of and underactive if anything.

I am dizzy, lethargic, skin is dry, eyes sting, I sweat a lot and feel really unwell. I often feel nauseas and have stomach problems too. I ache a lot. Often have palpitations. Headaches all the time too. I have put weight on over the last year or so too.

Do you think my GP will brush it off to say that they are only just over so no need to do anything?

My TSH is normal although on the low side - would this suggest something is wrong or just my T4?

OP posts:

Freudianslap · 07/09/2013 20:10

Your symptoms are suggestive of hyperthyroidism.

TSH is usually low in under active because TSH is triggered when the body has low levels of T4 - yours are high so the TSH won't be activated if that makes sense...?

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 07/09/2013 20:14

Are they? Isn't putting on weight a sign of under active?

Not sure I understand what you mean about TSH - sorry to sound so stupid, I never thought at all it would be thyroid related and know nothing at all about it so I really do appreciate your help.

Also, have you any idea why my neck/thyroid gland is swollen?

OP posts:

Freudianslap · 07/09/2013 20:56

Sorry, didn't see the weight gain bit - true, that is usually in under but the other stuff is seen in over like dizziness, palpitations, sweating.

Thyroid could be enlarged which could be causing the raised t4 or could be as a result of the raised t4, your gp will need to look into it though. Also your neck could be swollen for loads of reasons - a simple infection can swell your glands pretty badly.

As for the TSH - TSH stimulates the production of T4, your body detects how much T4 you have, if it's low then TSH will increase which then raises the T4. If you have lots of T4 knocking about the TSH stays low because it doesn't need to spring into action as such.

Worth having a good discussion with your GP though cause they can review all of your medical history rather than just look at this one specific thing.

Freudianslap · 07/09/2013 20:59

Plus your T4 is only just outside the normal range so may not be causing the problem at all...

Needs further investigation really.

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 07/09/2013 21:15

Thank you for explaining it to me. My thyroid has been enlarged for a good few years so it isn't just an infection.

A couple of years ago my cortisone levels were low so I had to go in to be tested - they injected me with it to see how long my levels stayed ok. After the initial blood test that showed it low the other tests came back fine.

OP posts:

Freudianslap · 07/09/2013 21:23

Have a chat with your GP and as sunny says, see if they will refer you to an endocrinologist. All of that part of the body is really closely linked so needs an expert to unpick all of the components.

On a lighter note - your name has made me really want some rich tea biscuits even though I agree, they are crap!

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 07/09/2013 21:24

Yes I will do - he will just say that they are only just over so no need to do anything I bet, but I will push for a referral. Thank you again, it is starting to make sense now.

They are crap indeed, have some chocolate hobnobs instead!

OP posts:

digerd · 08/09/2013 08:08

Some people, put on weight with an overactive Thyroid as I knew a lady that happened to. Dr was very surprised too.
I had all the typical symptoms of an overactive Thyroid in my early 20s - lost lots of weight, then became ravenously hungry and never stopped eating but still carried on losing weight. Shaky/trembly hand/fingers, outburts of rage and became paranoid. The I became very weak and breathless and couldn't get up the stairs.
GP put it down to 'nerves' until my Thyroid swelled up and my eyes bulged, then he knew what it was.
Also sweating like mad in the winter and a pulse of 160 just sitting still.

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 08/09/2013 10:13

Oh digerd your post rings so true with me. I get breathless too when walking upstairs and my eyes go funny .....almost itchy and stingy. I did lose weight a couple of years ago, put that down to a hiatus hernia but have put loads back on since.
My pulse is sometimes high doctors comment on it, but at other times its normal.

OP posts:

digerd · 08/09/2013 10:40

My pulse was always high when I became really ill.
I did read that the younger you are the more symptoms you get. For some reason, older people get less symptoms.
When GP eventually knew what it was I was referred to an endocrinologist at the hospital. Gp's treat only underative Thyroid.

It was so long ago - over 30 years- and I was young so did not ask about blood test value. Wondering now just how high my T4 was and BP.

I had frightening palpitations usually at night in bed, when the beats were rapid then stopped and jumped. They were all over the place.

RockinD · 08/09/2013 13:35

It would have been really useful if your GP had checked your antibodies as well, TPO, TGAb and TRAB. That would give a much better idea of what is going on here.

In your place I would be asking for those tests and also, as someone else said, for a referral to an endo.

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 08/09/2013 21:21

Yes I am going to ask for a referral and also a scan of my thyroid to see why it is so full. I will ask about those other tests too Rockin, thank you, this is all so new to me.

OP posts:

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 09/09/2013 19:23

Cold my thyroid being enlarged make me dizzy? I get pressure up my neck and jaw and feel dizzy.

OP posts:

digerd · 10/09/2013 07:40

The scan of your Thyroid should be able to discover if it is pressing on anything that is causing your dizziness.
Good luck and hope you don't wait long for the scan and results.

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 10/09/2013 18:00

I can't believe that this could all be my thyroid. The dizziness and everything. I have felt ill for 2 years at least. I am almost excited!! How sad.

OP posts:

Original poster

RichTeaAreCrap · 10/09/2013 22:01

Do you think they will put me on any meds if my levels are only just over?

OP posts:

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