What Does TSH 0.093 Indicate?

Posted on Sat, 16 Aug 2014

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

Sat, 16 Aug 2014 Answered on

Mon, 8 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : What do these number indicate? TSH 0.093, t3 uptake 34.3, t3 1.25, t4 8.09...lost two pregnancies in 4 months both at 6 weeks. Gained 50 lbs in 6 months (after quitting smoking, but with diet and exercise). Tired all the time, severe muscle and joint pain, migraines, depression, anxiety, can't think as fast as I used to. My father has been diagnosed with Hashimoto's and my aunt (his sister) was recently treated for thyroid cancer. My grandmother also has thyroid problems, but unsure what exactly. Does this fit any kind of pattern I should be looking into? Thanks so much for your time.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
hyperthyroidism

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

I am very sorry for your loss.

The pituitary is an area in the brain that releases different hormones. One of these hormones is TSH.
TSH then causes the thyroid gland to release the thyroid hormones (t4 and t3).

When the levels of T3 and T4 are high (hyperthyroidism), a message goes to the pituitary in the brain causing it to reduce the TSH levels (so that the reduced TSH would not be able to cause the thyroid to let out any more t3 and t4).

When the levels of T3 and T4 are low , then a message is sent to release more TSH from the brain so that it can stimulate the thyroid gland to make more thyroid hormones.

Your TSH is low, this means that it is being suppressed by high thyroid hormones- You have hyper thyroidism.
Your t4 is high - high thyroid hormones- hyperthyroidism
Your t3 uptake is in the upper range-also seen in hyperthyroidism

These results indicate that you have hyperthyroidism. This is normally associated with weight loss, tremor, palpitations, anxiety, nervousness, muscle cramps and pain.

Your doctor may suggest imaging of the thyroid gland.
In addition would suggest medication to lower the thyroid hormone levels and to treat any symptoms associated with this thyroid disease.

Summary: the results point to hyperthyroidism

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (25 hours later)

Thanks so much for your answer. I thought hyperthyroidism caused weight loss? Why would I be gaining so much weight in such a short period of time?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
it is normally associated with weight loss

Detailed Answer:
HI, sorry about the late reply

You are correct, as mentioned, hyperthyroidism is normally associated with weight loss.
It is not associated with weight gain, hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone), is normally associated with weight gain.

Your doctor would want to determine if there is another cause of your weight gain. He or she may want to review diet and activity history. A food and activity diary would detail daily calorie intake and output, carbohydrate intake.

Weight gain can sometimes be related to : (1)side effect of medications- these should be reviewed if you are using any at the moment
(2) fluid gain but this is in persons with heart failure or liver failure
(3) bloating , but this is not normally to this extent

Please feel free to ask any other questions

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