TSH & free T4 came back normal but have symptoms of thyroid problems

[drotherside]

TSH - 3.76
Free T4 - 1.20

Symptoms:
-mood swings
-always nervous
-can't put on weight (fat or muscle - I'm 6' and 135)
-always thirsty with dry mouth (I drink about 128oz water per day)
-shaky hands

My vitals are normal. What do you think could be causing this?

[goolarra]

Wow, that's a new one on me...TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibody) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibody) are the usual tests run for autoimmune thyroid disease.  TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin) is the definitive test for Graves'.  I have no idea what your doctor might have been trying to get at with these tests.  Perhaps he just ordered the wrong tests???

[drotherside]

The lab report does say "T3 ANTIBODY (TRIIODOTHYROXINE)" and "T4 ANTIBODY (THYROXINE)."

I had not had any sickness or pain prior to the initial lab test. I did come down with appendicitis about two weeks later. But I don't think there's any connection.

Life with the symptoms has been my "normal" for as long as I can remember. So I don't really feel any rush to solve this mystery.

I'll request that free T3 be added to my next blood-test.

Thanks for walking me through this!

[goolarra]

Your GP's theory is a possibility.  Had you recently had an upper respiratory infection prior to the labs?  Did you have pain in your thyroid?  He might have been thinking of DeQuervain's thyroiditis if you want to do some reading.

There's not a lot to go on there.  TSH is volatile, and that's all we have for comparison since FT4 wasn't tested in December.  I'm sure both your doctors were reacting to the elevated TSH in December when they said you "clearly" had a thyroid problem.  

Did you, perhaps, misread your lab report?  Was that TPO antibody and TG antibody that were negative?

As long as your symptoms aren't making you too terribly uncomfortable, I agree with your doctor that there's no danger in retesting in a month and seeing where this is going.  I'd ask him to test FT3 also at that time...in fact, I'd ask more than gently.  It's a missing piece of the puzzle, and it could explain your symptoms.

[drotherside]

I spoke with my GP today and he said that he thinks I had an inflamed viral infection of my thyroid when I got my blood-work done in December. We scheduled some blood-work to be done in about a month to see if anything changes.

Here's a summary of what I've got so far...

||||||||||||||| 12/28/2011 |||||||||||||||
TSH (0.5 - 4.3)
   7.04

T3 Antibody
   negative

T4 Antibody
   negative


||||||||||||||| 2/13/2012 |||||||||||||||
TSH (0.4 - 4.0)
   3.76

Free T4
   1.20

[goolarra]

"I never saw the exact results, but he had said that my blood-work was abnormal and that it was pretty clear that something was up with my thyroid."  

Please, get those results from your neuro's tests.  One test is interesting, but more than one demonstrating a trend is even more useful.

Best of luck with your appointment.

[drotherside]

I had seen a neurologist for my tremors a little over a month ago and he ordered a blood test. I never saw the exact results, but he had said that my blood-work was abnormal and that it was pretty clear that something was up with my thyroid. He suggested I see an endocrinologist.

I spoke with my GP today and he told me the same thing - that my test results from the neurologist were clearly pointing to hypothyroidism, but that the latest test results looked normal. He said that he's not sure as to what's going on. I'll discuss the information you provided me with with him on Thursday and see if it's something he's willing to do, or if her just wants to kick me to the endocrinologist.

I really appreciate the help, goolarra.