Are my Thyroid Tests Normal? I have symptoms.

[Vhha2]

Hi there,

I am a 44 y old male. My height is 6-2 and weight is 87 kilos.

Since July 2016 I am having symptoms like muscle ache. Especially sciatica like symptoms. Mostly I get lower back and hip pain whenever I stand for over 10 minutes. Sitting and lying down there is no pain.

Also, i think I am tired mostly and sleeping a lot. Also I have gained over 7-8 kilos over last 1 y. I was around 80 kilos, now 87 kilos.  

I got the tests done (pasted below). Having hard time getting treated from doc. I know my TSH is elevated. But its still in range and they don't care about it.

What to do?

Thyroid Function, Reference Range, Me: Jan 21, 2017, Me: May 4, 2017
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone [TSH], 0.32-4.00 mIU/L, 3.27, 3.37
Thyroxine Free [Free T4], 9-19 pmol/L, 14, 14
Triiodothyronine Free [Free T3], 3.1-6.2 pmol/L, 4.4, 4.9

[Vhha2]

Ok will do!

[Vhha2]

Thanks for the detailed answer and explanation !

I will certainly ask my doctor to get these tests done.

Will get back to you here.

Thanks again :)

[gimel]

Sorry, I overlooked another test I recommend: cortisol.

[gimel]

TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that at best it is only an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3.  Your TSH results are a bit high in the range, but not a clear indication of hypothyroidism.  Your Free T4 is fine, right at the middle of its range.  Your Free T3 was about 42% and 58 % of its range, for the last two results.  Those are not bad levels and certainly not clear indications of hypothyroidism.  

So that leaves us with the question about your symptoms.  Certainly needing excess sleep and being tired are frequently symptoms of hypothyroidism.  And a person's thyroid status is not just a result of your Free T4 and free T3 levels.  So I suggest a couple of things.  First I would ask to be tested for the possibility of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  The most likely test to show Hashi's is Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies (TPO ab).  If Hashi's exists TPO ab will show it approx. 90% of the time.  

In addition, I suggest that you test for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.  Ferritin should be at least 100, and it is important for conversion of T4 to the T3 you need for metabolism in the cells of your body.  B12 is very important and should be in the upper end of its range.  B12 deficiency can cause bad fatigue.   Vitamin D important to metabolism of Free T3 at the cellular level.  D should be at lest 50 ng/mL.  A deficiency of D can cause bone pain and fatigue also.  


Do you think you can get those tests done?