what does a 6.30 tsh and 12.4 t4 mean?

[saragirlpurt]

I am trying to figure out this lab. Also if this problem goes away on its own or needs meds.thanks!

[Barb135]

Not everyone gets hypothyroid from lithium and not everyone gains weight when they're hypo. If you've only had 4 TSH tests done over the past 13 years and no Free T3 and Free T4 tests, you need to have those done so you know exactly what's going on.  It's impossible to speculate with tests that are 20 years old.  

Do you have symptoms of hypothyroidism?

Are you still very thin and have trouble gaining weight?

Hypothyroidism caused by a medication would probably resolve once the medication was stop, but some medications do permanent damage. I'm not positive it lithium is one of those or not... I'll do a bit of research and see I can find out.

[Barb135]

It's the T4 I'm wondering about being Free or Total, not TSH, but if you don't see "Free" or "Total" anywhere, they're Total and not as useful... The T4 level is at the very top of the range, but most of that is bound by protein and can't be used.  

Your TSH is high, indicating hypothyroidism... Lithium is known to cause hypothyroidism.  

When was this done?

[saragirlpurt]

I started Lithium in 1992. This lab was 1996. I'm trying to get more labs. Since 2003 I've had maybe 4 TSH labs (normal). Never stopped Lithium. Curious if hypothyroid resolves itself? Wonder why I got so, so skinny during this time? Do you have any ideas? I thought you gained weight with hypothyroid.

[Barb135]

What's the reference range for the T4?  Reference ranges vary from lab to lab and have to come from your own report.  Also, is that Free T4 or Total T4?  They aren't the same tests and don't give the same information.

What, if any, symptoms do you have and what problem have you been diagnosed with?

[saragirlpurt]

Reference range 4.0-12.0 for T4. I just see T4 (doesn't say total or fee above TSH). I couldn't gain weight was 98 lbs and 5'9.I looked very sick, anorexic. I saw black a couple of times in the summer during this time. Diagnosed with bipolar, started taking Lithium during this time and TSH now normal. Just found this test, wondering if Lithium is masking something.