What happens if your T4 is too high?
High amounts of T4, T3, or both can cause an excessively high metabolic rate. This is called a hypermetabolic state. When in a hypermetabolic state, you may experience a rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and hand tremors. You may also sweat a lot and develop a low tolerance for heat.
How do you treat high free T4?
Antithyroid Medications: Antithyroid medications (sometimes written anti-thyroid) prevent the thyroid from producing excess amounts of T4 and T3 hormones. There are 2 types of antithyroid medications used in the US—propylthiouracil (PTU) and methimazole (also known as Tapazole).
What if T4 is high and TSH is normal?
A normal TSH and normal T4 show a normal thyroid. A low TSH and high T4 generally means an overactive thyroid. A high TSH and low T4 means an underactive thyroid.
What can cause high free T4 levels?
Euthyroid: a condition where the thyroid gland as working normally and producing normal levels of thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism: a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive and doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Treatment requires taking thyroid hormone pills.
What does free T4 do in the body?
Because T4 is converted into another thyroid hormone called T3 (triiodothyronine), free T4 is the more important hormone to measure. Any changes show up in T4 first. T3 and T4 help to control how your body stores and uses energy (metabolism). The thyroid hormones also help control many of your body’s other processes.
What does it mean if you have a high free T4?
A high level of T4 may be a sign of an overactive thyroid, called hyperthyroidism. A T4 test may be ordered if thyroid problems are suspected or to follow up after an abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test result.
What happens if ft4 is high?
A level of free T 4 that is higher than normal could mean you have an overactive thyroid. Conditions associated with hyperthyroidism include Graves disease, an autoimmune disorder. Abnormally low free T 4 levels may signal hypothyroidism. This means your thyroid is not making enough hormones.
What does high T4 Free Direct mean?
High levels of any of these tests (total T4, free T4, or free T4 index) may indicate an overactive thyroid, also known as hyperthyroidism. Low levels of any of these tests (total T4, free T4, or free T4 index) may indicate an underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism.