What does it mean if T3 and T4 are normal but TSH is high?

What does it mean if T3 and T4 are normal but TSH is high?

Normally, low levels (less than 5 units) of TSH are sufficient to keep the normal thyroid gland functioning properly. When the thyroid gland becomes inefficient such as in early hypothyroidism, the TSH becomes elevated even though the T4 and T3 may still be within the “normal” range.

Is TSH more important than T3 and T4?

Across many clinical studies it seems clear that the physiologic effects of low or high thyroid function correlate much more strongly to free T4 and free T3 levels than to TSH levels. In fact, correcting for changes in T4 and T3 levels there appeared to be no correlation between TSH level and body function.

Can I have Hashimoto’s with normal TSH?

It’s possible to have Hashimoto’s disease but not yet have a severe enough case that your thyroid function has been impacted. In these cases, you can have Hashimoto’s disease with normal TSH. If your TSH levels aren’t normal, there are also possible other causes.

Which is more accurate TSH or free T4?

Tests measuring free T4 – either a free T4 (FT4) or free T4 index (FTI) – more accurately reflect how the thyroid gland is functioning when checked with a TSH.

What does it mean when your TSH is slightly elevated?

High TSH levels can mean your thyroid is not making enough thyroid hormones, a condition called hypothyroidism. Low TSH levels can mean your thyroid is making too much of the hormones, a condition called hyperthyroidism.

What can cause a sudden increase in TSH levels?

Your TSH levels will be increased, if: Your thyroid gland is not working as it normally should. Your thyroid gland is infected or inflamed, as in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or autoimmune thyroiditis. This occurs when your body is attacking your thyroid gland, for some unknown reason.

Why did my TSH suddenly increase?

Can you have Hashimoto’s with normal T4?

Having only the TPO antibodies present with normal TSH and free T4 levels means that your thyroid is functioning normally and you don’t have hypothyroidism, but it does mean that you may have Hashimoto’s disease.

What should your TSH level be with Hashimoto’s?

The authors did find that a TSH value of 4.2 to the be the upper limit of normal in their analysis. However, the authors used a “prevalence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis” factor to determine the upper limit of TSH and found a range of 2.6-2.9 to be more appropriate.

Can TSH be high without hypothyroidism?

This usually indicates hypothyroidism, but not always. Illness or older age can also sometimes elevate TSH levels. If TSH rises above 10 mU/l, doctors usually treat it as hypothyroidism, and a person will likely have symptoms.

Can anything skew TSH results?

Concomitant diseases, medications, supplements, age, gender, ethnicity, iodine status, time of day, time of year, autoantibodies, heterophilic antibodies, smoking, and other factors influence the level of TSH, or the performance of current TSH assays.