What causes low T4 and normal TSH?

What causes low T4 and normal TSH?

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 happens when T3 and T4 are low?

For example, T3 and T4 regulate your heart rate and how fast your intestines process food. So if T3 and T4 levels are low, your heart rate may be slower than normal, and you may have constipation/weight gain. If T3 and T4 levels are high, you may have a rapid heart rate and diarrhea/weight loss.

Can you have normal TSH but low T3?

Normally, low levels (less than 5 units) of TSH are sufficient to keep the normal thyroid gland functioning properly. 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.

Can you have normal TSH and low T4?

People with secondary hypothyroidism may have normal or slightly low TSH levels. In this case, doctors will base a diagnosis on low T4 levels. Some potential causes of secondary hypothyroidism include: certain medications, such as opioids, prednisone, and dopamine.

What does a low T3 indicate?

Low T3 levels may mean you have hypothyroidism, a condition in which your body doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. T3 test results are often compared with T4 and TSH test results to help diagnose thyroid disease. If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.

Can low T4 cause weight gain?

Unraveling the Thyroid Cancer-Obesity Links 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.

How do you fix low T3?

Low T3 levels Sometimes, getting too much or too little iodine also causes symptoms. Treatment often includes levothyroxine medication, which replaces the hormones that the thyroid should produce.

Can low T3 cause weight gain?

What are symptoms of low T3?

Symptoms

• Fatigue.
• Increased sensitivity to cold.
• Constipation.
• Dry skin.
• Weight gain.
• Puffy face.
• Hoarseness.
• Muscle weakness.

What are the side effects of low T3?

Should low T3 be treated?

There is no evidence that treatment of patients with the low T3 syndrome with thyroid hormones is of any benefit. Knowledge at the present moment suggests that administration of thyroid hormones during caloric deprivation or non-thyroidal illness should be avoided.

What happens if T3 is low?

Low T3 test results can indicate an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism. Sometimes, low T3 can also indicate starvation. According to the ATA, a person can develop an underactive thyroid due to autoimmune disease, or as a result of radiation treatment or thyroid surgery.