T3 Slightly raised

[Kaycon]

Hello
I had blood tests for my thyroid and they came back saying my T4 was in normal range but my T3 was slightly elevated. I do have a goitre and the symptoms of overactive thyroid. I have been asked to make a routine appointment with the doctor. Can anyone throw any light on the results please I am very worried now :(

[goolarra]

If you are diagnosed hyper, they can put you on anti-thyroid meds, which will bring your FT3 and FT4 levels down.  That would help you put some weight back on (wish that were my problem!).    

Once you've seen the doctor, they should be willing to give you your results.  

[Kaycon]

Thank you for your reply, as you can probably tell I am very new to all of this. Getting any information from the receptionist is like pulling teeth all you get from them is wait and see the doctor. I am hoping my weight will go back on once this all settles down.

[goolarra]

I'd urge you first to get into the habit of asking for your lab results and keeping your own history.  It's best to ask for a paper copy since that will include reference ranges.  If you jot down symptoms and meds when the blood was drawn, you'll eventually be able to draw your own conclusions about what you need to do.

So, elevated FT3 does indicate hyperthyroidism.  It's hard to comment on FT4 "in the normal range".  FT4 range is pretty broad, so most people feel comfortable at around 50% (midpoint of range).  Very high or very low in the FT4 range, few people feel well.

In the U.K., you're probably looking at an FT4 range of something like 10.0-20.0 (lower end could be as low as 9.0, and upper end could go to 24.0).  When you see your doctor to discuss the results, you want to make sure your FT4 isn't too close to that upper number.  

You have symptoms, and with your elevated FT3, there's a good bet that you are hyper.  Most hyper is autoimmune in nature, Graves' disease.  Graves' is characterized by elevated antibodies, TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin).  In some countries, the antibodies are called TRab (thyroid receptor antibodies).  It would be a good idea to ask your doctor for one of these simple blood tests.

[Kaycon]

Unfortunately I do not have the actual results, trying to get past the receptionist is really hard. The doctors have all gone home. I have a goitre which I had tested, by scan and biopsy and all came back fine (non cancerous) I have all the symptoms of an overactive thyroid including weight loss. So I am wondering if that's what this means. Sorry I have no further information

[goolarra]

Please post your actual results and include reference ranges (they vary lab to lab and have to come from your own lab report).  

Please list your symptoms.

Have you had any antibody testing or a thyroid ultrasound?