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What does it mean if just your TSH level is low?

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Posted 6/22/2014 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
I am wondering if someone can explain to me TSH, T4, and T3? What are each of these and why does it make a difference if one is low and not the other's?

My TSH level is low, don't know about my t3 or t4 but before when I had each taking my tsh was borderline low but t3 and t4 were fine. Now my TSH level is very low (.0121). I assume though my T3 and T4 are fine. But what does that mean if just one is low (TSH being the low one) and the others are fine? What if they are all low? What does that mean then?

Can someone explain that to me?
Posted 6/22/2014 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
This thread may help:

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=37&m=3078943

It is at the top of the page.
Posted 6/24/2014 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Please re-read the forum rules you agreed to before posting:

8. If you are a medical professional, do not use the forums to distribute professional medical advice and/or promote your services.

Thank you.

Post Edited By Moderator (Judy2) : 6/24/2014 11:23:24 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/27/2014 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! You say you assume your T3 and T4 are ok. I suggest you get hard copies of your labs, and get them every time you go the doctor so you can see for sure.

Your TSH is below normal. The range given on most lab forms is 0.5 - 5. Though many doctors now recognize that the bottom range can be a bit lower, say 0.3, and that the upper range of 5.0 is too high. Many people do well with a TSH in the low range, i.e. below 1. But once you're out of range, that can indicate hyper, or heading there. So I would make sure to get the actual numbers for your T3 and T4. Unlike the TSH, most people do well when those are midrange.

Not to jump the gun but if your doctor says you're hypER it's likely s/he will push for RAI, ablating the thyroid with radioactive iodine and probably leaving you hypo for life. Being hypo for life if well managed is not a bad thing, but it's generally unnecessary. I strongly urge you that if you are hyper, please insist on the time to make a fully informed decision. There is an option called anti thyroid drugs, a course of oral medication that if administered and monitored properly can lead to the thyroid being stable, functioning normally. I'm happy to discuss this and my experience on ATDs further.

Again, people can do quite well after RAI. But I've met too many people who were rushed into it, without exploring all their options. Or having been told that ATDs are dangerous. And without making sure their doctors know how to treat hypOthyroidism.
Posted 6/30/2014 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Tip: If you use Labcorp or Quest for your testing, you can sign up via their portals to view your lab results yourself. I don't know about Quest, but Labcorp keeps them all on file so you can go back and look at your results over time.

http://www.ccjm.org/content/77/11/803.full

From the article:

Your free T3 and free T4 levels are what you want to have checked.

Low TSH, with normal free T3 and T4 is called subclinical hyperthyroidism.

You could have subclinical Graves' Disease or goiter.

Some medications can lower TSH levels - glucocorticoids, standostatin, dopamine, dobutamine, amidarone.

It is important to test regularly to track the progress of the hormone levels and to properly diagnose. The article suggests a retest within 4-6 weeks before making a diagnosis.

TSH is thyroid stimulating hormone. It is produced by the pituitary gland to signal the thyroid to produce T4 and T3. T4 is then converted to T3 by some of your organs. T3 is also released directly from the thyroid into the bloodstream.

T3 plays roles in metabolism, heart and digestive functions, muscle control, brain development and bone maintenance.

source: http://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/triiodothyronine.aspx
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