Low T4

[Guest guest]

Vicki. 3 of my 4 kids and also myself have low Free T4 levels and low TSH levels. We all take thyroid hormone. It is safe in mito **if** there is a need for it. It is not safe to give too much or to supplement unless absolutely needed as it speeds up metabolism. There is nothing wrong with our thyroid glands but these types of values show that the pituitary gland (in the brain) is not telling the thyroiud gland to make enough thyroid hormone. So it needs to be replaced. My questions for you are:Did they do a Free T4 or just a T4. Really a free T4 is the gold standard with pituitary problems.How low was the level and what are your labs norms?What was the TSH value and what are the norms? Typically what should happen is if the T4 drops then the pituitary should make more TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone) which would then stimulate the thyroid gland to make Thyroid hormone. If the T4 is low and the TSH is not high then this could represent a need for replacement. A Free T3 should also be done to geta clear picture. If the baby does go on Thyroid replacement it would be crucial to follow a reverse T3 along with a free T4 and a Free T3. if the reverse is high it means that the replacement therapy is potentially too metabolically stressful and the dose needs to be decreased. Hope that helps. Anne