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What Does This Thyroid Report Regarding Low TSH Indicate?
Posted on
Tue, 20 May 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 20 May 2014
Answered on
Tue, 10 Jun 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi I'm 18 years old I went to the doctors yesterday and was tested for issues with my thyroid . I'm at a normal free T4 (0.9)but a little higher then what is considered in the normal range (4.37) do I have a problem with my thyroid or cancer?
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
May I presume you meant to type that your TSH was 4.37?
One can apply the medical term 'Primary Subclinical hypothyroidism' to the current set of lab results and to you, as a diagnosis.
This simply means that you may have a slightly under active thyroid. this may not necessarily merit treatment at this juncture.
It is also possible that you may be recovering from 'thyroiditis' and your thyroid labs may likely look normal after a couple months.
However a case for treatment can be made if you have a thyroid swelling in the neck, or positive thyroid antibodies (in a blood test for anti TPO and anti Thyroglobulin) or strong family history of thyroid problems or difficulty conceiving, or if you are planning to get pregnant or if you have compelling symptoms of an under active thyroid.
The TSH result cannot predicate cancer. Cancer in the thyroid typically presents as a lump which is either seen or felt by the individual or another person or a doctor, or it is found on an ultrasound of the neck.
The lab tests that you have underwent are not directly useful in diagnosing cancer of the thyroid. They reflect the function of the thyroid while cancer is mostly a structural problem of the thyroid
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
May I presume you meant to type that your TSH was 4.37?
One can apply the medical term 'Primary Subclinical hypothyroidism' to the current set of lab results and to you, as a diagnosis.
This simply means that you may have a slightly under active thyroid. this may not necessarily merit treatment at this juncture.
It is also possible that you may be recovering from 'thyroiditis' and your thyroid labs may likely look normal after a couple months.
However a case for treatment can be made if you have a thyroid swelling in the neck, or positive thyroid antibodies (in a blood test for anti TPO and anti Thyroglobulin) or strong family history of thyroid problems or difficulty conceiving, or if you are planning to get pregnant or if you have compelling symptoms of an under active thyroid.
The TSH result cannot predicate cancer. Cancer in the thyroid typically presents as a lump which is either seen or felt by the individual or another person or a doctor, or it is found on an ultrasound of the neck.
The lab tests that you have underwent are not directly useful in diagnosing cancer of the thyroid. They reflect the function of the thyroid while cancer is mostly a structural problem of the thyroid
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes I meant TSH . If I do have hypothyroidism will I be able to live a healthy life while on medication.? Well more so a normal life is my concern.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
People who truly have hypothyroidism and are treated correctly with the right doses are expected to have a normal healthy life.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
People who truly have hypothyroidism and are treated correctly with the right doses are expected to have a normal healthy life.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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