Fasting Blood Sample Reported Normal Levels Of T3 And T4, But TSH Is High. Does It Imply Any Thyroid Issue?

Posted on Mon, 6 May 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 6 May 2013 Answered on

Fri, 24 May 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, In my last health check up 3 days back, my fasting blood sample reported normal levels of T3 and T4, but TSH is around 8.2 (beyond normal range). Does it clearly imply Thyroid issues? or Do I take another test with a different lab to confirm?

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (1 hour later)

Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in. Your thyroid report is suggestive of subclinical hypothyroidism a mild form of hypothyroidism. Its better to reconfirm TSH value from a second more reliable lab. If result is confirmed you may require lifelong thyroxine replacement. You should also get Anti TPO antibody test along with TSH. High titers of anti TPO make a stronger case for thyroxine replacement.
Hope this helps
Shivaprasad

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar