What Does The Thyroid Profile Of The Baby Indicate?

Posted on Sat, 13 Dec 2014

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

Sat, 13 Dec 2014 Answered on

Thu, 8 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : The thyroid test result for my 3 month old baby is showing the following result.
T3 (total) 118 ng/dL Reference (105-245)
T4 (total) 3.8 Reference (7.2-14.4)
TSH(Ultrasensitive) 1.865 Reference (0.8-8.2)

I am little worried about the low T4 value. i would like to know is there anything to worry about the T4 value. Is there any future implication. please guide me

Answered by Dr. Ajish TP (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please do a free T4 and free T3

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,

Welcome to HCM. I have gone through the question, reports and understand your concerns.

Here the thyroid hormones (T3,T4) are low and TSH is normal. This can be due to 2 things

1. Thyroid binding globulin deficiency

Here total thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) are low, TSH is normal and Free thyroid hormones (Free T3 & Free T4) are normal. Free thyroid hormones are the active hormones and if they are normal child will be normal.

No treatment is needed for this condition.

2. Central hypothyroidism

Here total thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) are low, TSH is normal or low and Free thyroid hormones (Free T3 & Free T4) are also low. Here child will have problems with decreased thyroid hormones as free hormones are low.

This condition needs detailed evaluation and treatment.

So do a free T3 and Free T4 , upload the reports, that will help to differentiate between these two.

Hope I have answered your questions. If you have any further queries I will be happy to help you.

Regards,

Dr Ajish TP [MD,DM]
Consultant Pediatric Endocrinologist.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari