What Do My Lab Test Results Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 20 Jul 2016

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

Wed, 20 Jul 2016 Answered on

Wed, 10 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Home test performed and sent to lab with tsh level = 4.53. No t3 or t4 results. Does this need further testing? 21 years old, lack of energy, weight gain, and sleeps a lot.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It needs further testing.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Your TSH level is slightly elevated and usually in these levels doesn't cause symptoms.
To judge properly about the thyroid function should be performed Ft4 and Ft3 too (in most of cases with this TSH level are expected to be within the normal ranges).

I would recommend to check the thyroid antibodies;
-Anti-TPO
-Anti-thyroglobuline.

If they are elevated, a chronic autoimmune disease has begun and you should keep the thyroid hormones under control especially prior and during pregnancy.
You may start a very low dose of levothyroxine ( especially if the antibodies are positive) and recheck TSH level after 6 weeks.
Hope the information will help.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad