[Anonymous]

#1076849

Hi Linda775,

Just butting in. I’m sure Bobbi will respond as well, but since I’m here I thought I’d put in my two cents.

If your TSH is in the low end of normal, you’re right, that means you’re closer to hyper than hypo. TSH and T4/T3 levels are usually inverse. High TSH means low T4/T3 and hypothyroid; low TSH means high T4/T3 and hyperthyroid. MOSTLY. Of course there are situations (pituitary tumors, for instance, or even early stages of treatment for thyroid disease) where the relationship between the two may not be as clear.

My doctor has never tested my T3. T3 is a very volatile hormone and can change values, drastically, within a few hours, so it’s hard to get a good idea of whether you are high or low OVERALL with T3, whereas it is very easy with TSH (a running average covering weeks of time) and T4 (reflects an overall level for about a week). It may be useful if you find that you are having extreme difficulty being regulated — for instance, if your body has a little trouble converting T4 into T3 — but for the most part, a T3 test proves little.

I hope that helps!

~Ski
NGDF Assistant Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1076850

My doctor does not, typically, test my T3. There was a time, however, a couple of years ago, when I insisted that I was hyperthyroid and T3 bloodwork WAS done. I’m not sure why. I was away from home, and the doctor’s office I went to for help, put in for a full thyroid panel.

Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1020349

Hi Bobbi,

I’ve been reading some of the posts from previous years. When someone states that their TSH is “in the low end of normal” dose this mean closer to hyper than hypo?

When you were going through the process of getting well did you have the T3 as well as T4 and TSH tested? My endo has no use for the T3 — she says as long as the TSH is registering that is indication enough that the T4 is converting to T3.

Thanks, Linda

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