Are these thyroid results normal?

[IDontLikeMondays88]

TSH - 1.13 mU/L
free T4 - 10.6 pmol/L

Yes they are within normal ranges.

TSH range- 0.38-5.33 mU/L
Free T4 range- 7.9-14.4 pmol/L

According to my NHS App the TSH normal range is between 0.27 and 4.2

I'm afraid that's not correct @Nursemumma92

Normal ranges vary according to the laboratory so none of us can say whether the OP's results are normal

OP: there should be numbers in parentheses after each level. That is the normal range.

@dreamingbohemian
I appreciate the ranges can vary slightly but they would absolutely be within the normal range of my current trust and of my old trust- they both use the same ranges which were updated in November 2022.

I'm afraid you're being pedantic for the sake of it @dreamingbohemian

Normal ranges do vary slightly, but the figures OP has quoted would absolutely be in any given normal range.

@Nursemumma92
The normal range for t4 where I live is 11-21.2, which would leave the OP slightly under normal. So again, critical for the OP to look at her report.

(This is at 3 different nhs testing sites in London in the last year)

@LogFireSnoozing I'm not being pedantic. I'm looking at my NHS App right now, at my own test results. FT4 normal range 11-21.2

You absolutely do need ranges for the FT4 result. As dreamingbohemian says, if the range is 11-21 (which is the range I have for my results) then 10 is under range. Also your results should show an optimal FT4 value, not just one at the bottom of the range.

Normal range for free T4 on recent test I had was 12-22, so @IDontLikeMondays88 result would not be in normal range, despite your assurance @LogFireSnoozing

I have in the past asked Mumsnet to put a sticky on asking people to quote the reference ranges if they are asking for results to be interpreted. The issue is that the ranges vary from lab to lab, depending on the equipment used.

In my area, the range for FT4 is 9 - 26, so OP would be just in range, but very far from optimal. Elsewhere, depending on the range, it could be below range or even, in some areas mid-range.

Let's have the reference ranges OP and we'll take it from there!

Hello

so

TSH 1.13 mU/L (0.35 - 5.00 U)
free t4 10.3 pmol/L (9.0 - 21.0 U)

then it says
total t3 but no result so perhaps didn’t test that

I suppose I can see from the parameters it is within normal range.

OK so whilst your TSH is ideal, your FT4 is woeful! You may have a condition known as central hypothryodism, where your pituitary is at fault, not your thyroid. The pituitary gland produces TSH to signal to the thyroid to make more FT3 (the active hormone, and not tested in your case). FT3 is made from FT4, so it's unlikely with such a low amount of FT4 you could possibly have enough FT3.

How are you feeling, OP?

Ok so FT4 is low but within normal range. My experience has been that doctors won't really do anything if you are technically within normal range, so if you are feeling really poorly you may need to push for more investigation. How are you feeling at the moment?

As Carrot says, low FT4 + low-ish TSH can indicate a pituitary problem, not a thyroid problem. I have a preliminary diagnosis of this myself (waiting on MRI and other tests to confirm). It's really important to know whether it's the thyroid or the pituitary so that the right treatment is given.

So the reason for the blood test was because my periods are all over the place - period every 3 weeks and some bleeding / spotting between periods.

I am tired but also have a 3.5 year old.

weight gain but also am a middle aged woman and my diet could be better.

itchy skin

My mum has an under active thyroid and is on medication for it

Thank you @CrunchyCarrot for saving me a post. Yes, consider secondary hypothyroidism. More common than most GPS know and treated by reference to FT4 and FT3 levels.

In 2019 I also tested and results were

TSH - 1.09 (0.27 - 4.2)
FT4 - 13.7 (12-22)
FT3 - 4.5(3.1- 6.8)

So thyroid disease can be hereditary (is in my case, my mother had Graves', I have Hashi's). Or it can be another autoimmune disease. They do tend to travel together unfortunately.

Your 2019 results:

FT4 - 13.7 (12-22) Still very low, but now we have FT3 to look at:
FT3 - 4.5(3.1- 6.8) This is only 37% through the range, still too low. All your FT4 is being used up trying to make enough FT3, but your pituitary gland, which should be kicking TSH and getting it to rise and thus cause more production, isn't doing so.

This calculator is useful for seeing visually how far through the range your results are:

https://thyroid.dopiaza.org/?utm_source=homescreen

Your results from 2019 in that calculator:

Thank you
any tips on what to say to gp to get investigated further