High Free T3 and Elevated Thyroglobulin Antibodies

[MaryRoe]

Dear Dr. I saw an Endo back in early December as I am a heart patient and had A-FIB attack and some Tachs. I had been on 2 gr. of Armour for 2 years and Synthroid for 3 years (GP) Cardio doc did Thyroid Blood in October and all was normal. (saw report, Free T3, 300, TSH 1.2, T4 1.3)

Endo office called just before Xmas and said all tests were normal and return in 3 months. 3 months is today and I had to cancel this appt. due to a sick family member. AND, I knew all december blood work and 24 hour urine test was all normal so I could wait another few weeks. WRONG. They said i could not see them till June as they are booked.  I asked for my December reports to be faxed to me incase I saw another doctor sooner.
What this Endo's office told me in December as being normal is as follows:  TSH 3.0, FREE T3 478 HIGH, Thyroglobulin Antibodies 95 HIGH. T-4 FREE is 1.2.  Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies <10. (Quest Labs)

Before I even saw her my ENT discovered rt discrete thryoid nodule.  FNB in November showed benign adenoma. Follow up scan is in 4 weeks.

I called both the ENT doctor and my Cardio doctor in late december and told them ALL Thyroid Tests done by this Endo were normal!

I am concerned as I have had Thyroid eye disease in the past (SLK) now a heart condition and nodules.  My feet well and I am SOB and wonder now if it is all my thyroid.  Cardio doc is stumped to the swelling. Do I sound like I am Hypo or Hyper or what? Should I call my heart doctor and ENT doctor and  let them know the "real" results.  Thanks so much for you time, Doctor Mark.

[fifthbase2]

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[coolgirl011]

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[Jessie610]

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[HashiMan]

I've enjoyed this forum these past months and everyone is wonderful on here! I know it wasn't necessary to make a final post but also didn't want anyone to suspect I left for another reason. I have just simply decided not to correspond on forums. I still occassionally like to read on them and will also continue to research websites but I will not be posting on any, just a personal choice. I'm also glad to see Dr. Mark on here, he is the best thing for this forum and Med-Help is fortunate to have him.
Best Wishes to Everyone!!

[MaryRoe]

Thank You for your speedy reply.  This puts my mind at ease also.   I never questioned anything before in regards to my health but I do now since heart disease has set in.

Yes, I probably took my Armour the morning of the test in December.  I have been back on Synthroid now since the end of December  I asked for this.  I also take a teeny bit of Cytomel early in the morning and again around 2:00PM....Learned this from the good doctor here.  Thank you both.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The main abnormality is the high T3 and positive Tg-Antibody.  The high T3 is likely due to the Armour.  I have seen patients who get palpitations/aggravated a-fib from Armour and if the T3 is creeping up this high it may be worth re-considering armour in favor of synthroid or levoxyl -- with target TSH 0.5-2.0. The positive Tg-Antibody likely means you have hashimotos as the cause of your HYPOthyroidism (for which you take thyroid meds).  The nodule needs to be followed by ultrasound, an I-123 scan would not add anything to the eval based on what you mention.  Hope that helps.