Hello.... A little history first. My name is Mark , 64 year old male ,155 lbs non smoker and on no medication. For the past 35 years I have been battling health issues that I have always thought could be thyroid related.... Hypo thyroid. You can go down the list of hypo symptoms and check off every one except hair issues. Worst symptoms would be fatigue, hard to stay warm ,low energy, muscle fatigue /weakness, joint pain , brain fog / memory ,and hard to lose weight. Along with these symptoms I also have issues with Low testosterone levels. I have also have had A couple unexplained / undiagnosed bouts of low iron anemia with very low ferritin levels and undiagnosed foot/heel pain. I have seen several docs over the years ( including an endocrinologist ) and all of my "standard " thyroid test have always came back normal. Fast forward to now... I saw a NP for some food sensitivity testing. He also did some thyroid testing. All came back normal except free 3T was elevated. I have all my lab work from the past 30 years and a Free T3 was never tested. Test results
T3 free 6.3 H RR 2.3 - 4.2
T4 free normal 1.1 RR 0.8 - 1.8
He was concerned about the elevated Free T3 so we retested after 30 days
Second test results
Free T3 high again at 5.4
TSH normal at 2.87 RR 2.3 - 4.2
Third round of testing
TSI normal γ89 RR γ140
TRAB High 2.20 RR γ200 IUL
ANA screen ... POSITIVE
He was confused that my Free t3 is elevated but my TSH is normal and should be low. He admitted this was not his erea of expertise but the high Free t3 and positive TRAB and ANA could point to autoimmune hyperthyroid...Graves disease.....but my symptoms fit more of hypothyroid problem ????? He is not sure if I should see a rheumatologist for an autoimmune issue or and endocrinologist for a thyroid issue . ( also ...my daughter has Hashimotos ). So at this point I'm looking for some guidance. Any help would be appreciated !!!! Thanks, Mark
Welcome to the forum!
I think you should see an endocrinologist with the high FT3
Moderator, Lyme Forum
Symp started April/2013; Buhner's Lyme May 15-July24/14; Igenex pos. July 3/14
Doxy: July 4-Aug.24/14;Zithro July26-Aug24/14; Amox + Proben. Aug. 29/14;
added biaxin Sept. 26/14
Disc. amox,added Ceftin Nov. 20th.;
Disc. biaxin added Buhner bart herbs Dec/14;Jan/15 pulsing Tinda (w/ Ceftin);
Abx/herb break Apr-July/15; July-mino; Aug. added Rif;
Nov./15 mino - to biaxi
I think you should see an endocrinologist with the high FT3
Moderator, Lyme Forum
Symp started April/2013; Buhner's Lyme May 15-July24/14; Igenex pos. July 3/14
Doxy: July 4-Aug.24/14;Zithro July26-Aug24/14; Amox + Proben. Aug. 29/14;
added biaxin Sept. 26/14
Disc. amox,added Ceftin Nov. 20th.;
Disc. biaxin added Buhner bart herbs Dec/14;Jan/15 pulsing Tinda (w/ Ceftin);
Abx/herb break Apr-July/15; July-mino; Aug. added Rif;
Nov./15 mino - to biaxi
Thanks for the reply π. Anyone else out there have hyper labs with hypo symptoms ???
So much T3 can ware you out, (your brain).
You need a good endo. Read online local reviews since many are not so great.
Till then you should get thyroid antibody tests TPO, TgAb and TSI. Read up on these three.
Your pituitary, TSH and T3 are not in sync. Sometimes they like to image the pituitary gland when this happens.
Ive been hyper (early hashi) and then settled into long time hashi/hypo which is now finally better managed with diet besides just thyroid med.
You need a good endo. Read online local reviews since many are not so great.
Till then you should get thyroid antibody tests TPO, TgAb and TSI. Read up on these three.
Your pituitary, TSH and T3 are not in sync. Sometimes they like to image the pituitary gland when this happens.
Ive been hyper (early hashi) and then settled into long time hashi/hypo which is now finally better managed with diet besides just thyroid med.
T3 is made from T4 in your body via liver, brain and some other areas..
Its odd that anyone would have high t3 without also high T4 (the source).
Both can be high with low TSH from a thyroid gland leak, such as a leaky or "hot" nodule. A thyroid nodule is detected by a hand held ultra sound imaging device. Most nodules dont leak and are not cancerous.
Initial lyme symptoms late 80's, then again with bullseye early 90's. ABX 2014 - 2016. In "remission " / "Cured" (?) for four years. Now: Healing / Rebuilding / fixing muscle damage and still improving nutrition and immune via anti- cytokine diet. 20 years of Hashimoto is now improving and Thyroid Nodule dissolved too.
Its odd that anyone would have high t3 without also high T4 (the source).
Both can be high with low TSH from a thyroid gland leak, such as a leaky or "hot" nodule. A thyroid nodule is detected by a hand held ultra sound imaging device. Most nodules dont leak and are not cancerous.
Initial lyme symptoms late 80's, then again with bullseye early 90's. ABX 2014 - 2016. In "remission " / "Cured" (?) for four years. Now: Healing / Rebuilding / fixing muscle damage and still improving nutrition and immune via anti- cytokine diet. 20 years of Hashimoto is now improving and Thyroid Nodule dissolved too.
Hey astroman.... thanks so much for your input. Iβve felt like crap for so many years Iβm not sure if I remember what it feels like to feel good. I really need to find that right doctor... but that sadly its easier said than done. Iβve been let down so many times over the years itβs so frustrating πππ. Thanks again for your help ...Mark