MY TSH is 10.2 and Free T3 and T4 are normal ( Free T3 = 4.99 and FreeT4=14.56), plz suggest am confused?

Question

I am confused whether its hypothyroid or hyper thyroid. my doc said that i have to in take med (50) life long, is it so kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Don't worry it's simple. Your thyroid is in your neck and makes a hormone called T4 (and also T3 which is similar). If the thyroid makes too much T4, it is overactive (hyperthyroid). If the thyroid doesn't make enough T4 it is underactive (hypothyroid). TSH is another hormone made by the pituitary gland (underneath your brain). TSH stands for thyroid-stimulating hormone and it does what the name suggests. If the thyroid is not making enough T4, the pituitary releases more TSH to stimulate the thyroid to work harder.

You have normal T4 and high TSH. This means your thyroid is just about managing to produce enough T4, but it is struggling and is needing constant nagging from the pituitary. The medication you have been given is T4 - exactly the same stuff that the thyroid makes. Your thyrid isn't really coping so you are just getting a top-up.