A normal TSH and normal T4 show a normal thyroid. A low TSH and high T4 generally means
an overactive thyroid
. A high TSH and low T4 means an underactive thyroid. A low TSH and low T4 mean low thyroid function because of another problem, such as with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus of the brain.
What does it mean when your T4 is too high?
Abnormally high test results
Elevated T4 levels may indicate
hyperthyroidism
. They may also indicate other thyroid problems, such as thyroiditis or toxic multinodular goiter. Other reasons for abnormal results may include: high levels of protein in the blood.
Which condition has high TSH in the blood accompanied by high T4?
Hyperthyroidism
results in high levels of T4 and T3 circulating in the blood.
Does high T4 mean hypothyroidism?
High levels of any of these tests (total T4, free T4, or free T4 index) may indicate an
overactive thyroid
, also known as hyperthyroidism. Low levels of any of these tests (total T4, free T4, or free T4 index) may indicate an underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism.
What happens if thyroid TSH is high?
High levels of TSH is
an indicator that your thyroid is not producing enough hormones
, like thyroxine (T4) and or triiodothyronine (T3). This hormonal imbalance is called primary hypothyroidism. Sometimes high TSH causes a decrease in thyroid hormones, but they are still in normal range.
How do you treat high TSH and normal T4?
The easiest and most effective treatment is simply
taking a thyroid hormone pill (levothyroxine) once a day
, preferably in the morning. This medication is a pure synthetic form of T4 which is made in a laboratory to be an exact replacement for the T4 that the human thyroid gland normally secretes.
Can you have high TSH and normal T4?
Most patients who have a
mildly elevated TSH have a normal free thyroxine (T4) level
. The treatment of such patients is controversial, particularly when they have few or no symptoms and no other clinical evidence of thyroid disease.
Can high T4 cause weight gain?
According to Dr. Kitahara, if someone has low thyroid function, their TSH is high, and the thyroid hormones known as T3 and T4 are low—and
weight gain
often occurs. If someone has an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism, TSH is usually low, the T3 and T4 are high, and weight loss occurs.
What is the treatment for high T4 levels?
Antithyroid Medications: Antithyroid medications (sometimes written anti-thyroid) prevent the thyroid from producing excess amounts of T4 and T3 hormones. There are 2 types of antithyroid medications used in the US—
propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (also known as Tapazole)
.
What are symptoms of high T4?
- increased appetite.
- nervousness.
- restlessness.
- inability to concentrate.
- weakness.
- irregular heartbeat.
- difficulty sleeping.
- fine, brittle hair.
What level of T4 indicates hypothyroidism?
TSH > 4.0/mU/L
with a low T4 level indicates hypothyroidism. If your TSH is > 4.0 mU/L and your T4 level is normal, this may prompt your physician to test your serum anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies.
Why is TSH high but T4 normal?
When the thyroid gland becomes inefficient such as in early
hypothyroidism
, the TSH becomes elevated even though the T4 and T3 may still be within the “normal” range.
What is a bad T4 level?
Interpreting Results. In adults, the typical range for free T4 is between
.
9 and 2.4 nanograms per deciliter. Total T4 tends to vary more with age. An abnormally high T4 level may indicate hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, or goiter.
How do I get my TSH levels down?
- Radioactive iodine to slow down your thyroid.
- Anti-thyroid medications to prevent it from overproducing hormones.
- Beta blockers to reduce a rapid heart rate caused by high thyroid levels.
- Surgery to remove the thyroid (this is less common)
What causes TSH to rise?
Your TSH levels will be increased, if:
Your thyroid gland is not working as it normally should
.
Your thyroid gland is infected or inflamed
, as in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or autoimmune thyroiditis. This occurs when your body is attacking your thyroid gland, for some unknown reason.
What is a dangerously high TSH level?
The standard reference range for the TSH level is anywhere between 0.30 and 5.0 uIU/mL. If your TSH level is
higher than 5.0 uIU/mL
, then the lab will flag you as “high,” and you may experience the symptoms listed above 5.0 uIU/mL. Values of the TSH level more than 10.0 uIU/mL need long-term thyroid supplements.
