Thyroid function test results..

[MuffinHead]

I had my blood test results back today and have found out I have an overactive thyroid, I was expecting this anyway so didn't come as a shock. My results today have left me panicking a bit and curious whether anyone else has had results similar to mine, or whether I need to be worried at all?
I have also got Graves' disease.

TSH- 0.01
Free T4- 49.1
Free T3- 18.3

I had a google and can't seem to find anything to help. Thanks

My TSH level is actually < 0.01

Anyone?

Shamelessly bumping this again I should be getting an appointment with an endocrinologist soon, but can't stop worrying about the results

I have the opposite problem so can't really advise. My TSH is 7.8 and GP refuses to treat until it gets to 10. I do wonder if thyroid issues in the UK are ignored a lot of the time.

To have high T4 and T3, is classically caused by Graves.

How long have you had graves?

@thenightsky ohh I see, I have read some threads on here and a lot of people have also said the same, that it is a little bit overlooked.

@ToLongNow I am 100% sure I have had it since last October, I have had countless problems with my eyes since then, dry eyes being the main thing. I found out properly yesterday/today.

Medication maybe enough to get your levels back to normal

@ToLongNow I'm hoping so, I have been using Dr. Google which just left me worrying about something, that's probably not even that bad

Google is not your friend

I have graves disease and an overactive thryoid. I was diagnosed in March. Are you on Carbimazole? I am currently on the maximum dose plus three beta blockers a day. My levels are a lot higher than yours despite being on meds for 4 months. My symptoms have improved slightly. What symptoms do you have? I have a tremor, severe itching, weight loss, palpitations, swollen thryoid, insomnia, the runs plus my eyes are slightly bulging and itchy. You need to be referred to endocrinologist and to ultrasound if you have a swollen thyroid. Also to opthamology if you hace eye proplems. My t3 and t4 were both in the 60s when diagnosed and I was hospitalized at the end of June and was told my levels were late 80s. My meds were increased at this point. I hope you start to feel better soon OP.

Op do you have the lab ranges?

@Mumshappy hey! I'm not currently taking anything at all I have only just had my blood test results back and I should be hearing from an endocrinologist tomorrow hopefully! I was referred to an ophthalmologist in February and went to my last appointment for 6 months(ish) today. My eyes are a lot better now, but they are bulging. All the problems I had with my eyes were the reason I found out I had an overactive thyroid!

I have all symptoms of an overactive thyroid, in particular I am losing a ridiculous amount of hair, palpitations, really bad anxiety and I actually thought I had IBS- but now I think it's related to the thyroid problems.

Wow, so sorry to hear you got hospitalised because of it, I hope that you also feel better soon!

@pawpawpawpaw by that do you mean the averages of what they should be? If so;
TSH 0.4-4.0
T4 9.0-25.0
T3 3.5-7.8

But I am not educated on this at all so what I have just wrote there might be a load of rubbish

Thankyou Muffinhead Fingers crossed that you get seen soon. Glad to hear that your eyes are better.

The lab range is just what is considered normal, but they can vary from lab to lab so it's helpful to know what they are. Have they proposed treatment options? Or will they refer you first?
I have an underactive thyroid and when I was struggling to get treatment I found TUK very helpful: healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk
Thyroid problems are pretty common so I wouldn't worry too much just yet (and the endo referral is a good sign), but it can be uncomfortable and obviously you don't want to leave it untreated as it can cause health problems down the line.

I had Graves disease. I had many symptoms including a racing pulse, lid lag and an eye twitch, and lost a quarter of my body weight, 10 stone to 7.5 stone. I had a few months of carbimazole, and then radioactive iodine to nuke my thyroid gland.

Now I have an underactive thryoid and take thyroxine.

Similar levels to you ok. Golly nearly 30 years ago. I was engaged and due to marry and so I had a sub-total thyrpidectomy because I was concerned about radioactive iodine so soon before making babies.
.
Diagnosed June:carbimazole for two months and lropranolol if needed. Hormones stabilised and prophylactic throxine added. Had op late September.

Started on 50mcg throxine, increased to 100mcg after three months. Increased to 112.5mcg post menopause.

All has been well for nearly 30 years although I had a lot of miscarriages and there is now an evidenced link. Still had two perfect DC though.

Good luck and get well.

@Fairybio and @OhTheRoses thank you both for replying!

Will be picking up my prescription of carbimazole tomorrow, there is also something else beginning with a P(?). Is it normal to see an endocrinologist after I have started the medication?

I will not be having radioactive iodine, I'm 21 and haven't had a baby yet, but I hope to be able too. Glad to hear you're both doing well.

@MuffinHead the thing beginning with P is Propranolol which is a beta blocker. It will calm your pulse and any underlying anxiety while the carbimazole takes effect which for me was about 3 weeks if I recall correctly. Totally normal to start the meds as quickly as possible. They will help get your levels back to normal. The treatment and doses are pretty standard so no need to worry. Do you have to wait until tomorrow for your prescription?

Endocrinologist is normal to see and very good news for you.

@OhTheRoses oh that's great I'm glad you said that, I was wondering about a beta blocker and was hoping they would give me some! Ohh okay then well as long as it's normal feel so much better now I know I'm getting it sorted, and the help from everyone on here has been appreciated. I can't get it until tomorrow unfortunately because they close at 5, but I will be going first thing for it!

The beta blocker noticeably starts working within minutes to slow your pulse and calm you.

All my treatment was with the endocrinologist. As far as I am aware, you don't have to wait until you've had children to have radioactive iodine, but there will be a period of time afterwards when you mustn't get pregnant.

I recall that there's a very important blood test which you must have regularly when taking carbimazole because of its possible effect on white blood cells. Ask your GP about that.

@Fairybio that's good to know, I'm concerned about beta blockers now because I have asthma and have read that you shouldnt use them if you do I will ring my go tomorrow anyway and see what they say.

Okay that's interesting, I had the impression that you couldn't have children at all so that's really good news! I have been told I need to go for a blood test in 4 weeks so I guess it might be that?

@thenightsky

I have the opposite problem so can't really advise. My TSH is 7.8 and GP refuses to treat until it gets to 10. I do wonder if thyroid issues in the UK are ignored a lot of the time.

I am sorry to hear that. TSH 7.8 is far too high, clearly hypothryoid.

If you pop over to any nearby EU country once travelling in the pandemic permits, they will diagnose you hypothyroid and prescribe medicine.

AFAIK UK doctors accept EU doctors' diagnoses.

No other country that I have heard of makes people wait till TSH 10 before prescribing medication.

If hypothyroidism affected more men, diagnosis would happen around TSH 2.8, but 9 /10 patients are women, so we are left to suffer.

My life changed when I was put on thyroid replacement meds.

Good luck x

Some people with asthma can't take them, but I have it, and I'm fine. I still take them now, in fact. Talk to your GP (and make sure you know where your reliever inhaler is).