About Karen Brawner Expertise I will answer any questions you have regarding the thyroid whether it be cancer, cysts (types), hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, blood tests for thyroid problems, surgery, fine needle biopsies etc...
Experience My complex cysts on my right thyroid gland and the isthmus were found my accident when my doctor thought I was having a TIA. The ultrasound found a complex cysts the size of a golf ball (which turned out to be the size of a tennis ball when it was surgically remove). Doctors were totally surprised because for 5 years, including the day I went to surgery, all of my thyroid blood work was "within the normal range". So much for blood work being conclusive..
Question I am undergoing testing for weight loss surgery and they found that in my blood tests my thyroid levels are very high. They retested them to be sure and still they are high. They told me that my T4 is 14.9 and normal range is 4.5 to 12.0. They also told me that my T3 is 273 and normal range is 60-181. I can't talk to the endoconologist until next week and was wondering if you can tell me what this could mean. I thought that if your levels were high--you would have the symptoms that hyperthyroidism list. But me, of course, i have every one of the symptoms for hypothyroidism with the high thyroid levels.
Answer Dear Danielle, Waiting one week for your endocrinologist appointment is ok and it will not make any difference at this point.... The fact that they found a problem and you may not have to go through weight loss surgery is a PLUS for you....
High T4 levels along with a high TSH level could indicate a pituitary gland problem, but you don't say here what you TSH level was.... High T3 levels could indicate possibility of other thyroid problems or pituitary problems and again are an indication to the doctor (same with the T4) to do MORE though blood tests etc...
Both of these high levels affect the body's metabolism and if that is effect this COULD be the reason you are over-weight....
Wait till you see the endo, get ALL of the tests done that he/she wants you to have and wait again for the results...
