TSH, FT3  and FT4 Test Results for Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism

Understanding your Thyroid Test Results:

A high TSH level indicates that the thyroid gland is failing because of a problem that is directly affecting the thyroid (primary hypothyroidism). The opposite situation, in which the TSH level is low, usually indicates that the person has an overactive thyroid that is producing too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). Occasionally, a low TSH may result from an abnormality in the pituitary gland, which prevents it from making enough TSH to stimulate the thyroid (secondary hypothyroidism). In most healthy individuals, a normal TSH value means that the thyroid is functioning normally.

 T4 Tests

Individuals who have hyperthyroidism will have an elevated FT4, whereas patients with hypothyroidism will have a low level of FT4. Combining the TSH test with the FT4 accurately determines how the thyroid gland is functioning.

The finding of an elevated TSH and low FT4 indicates primary hypothyroidism due to disease in the thyroid gland. A low TSH and low FT4 indicate hypothyroidism due to a problem involving the pituitary gland. A low TSH with an elevated FT4 is found in individuals who have hyperthyroidism.

T3 tests are often useful to diagnosis hyperthyroidism or to determine the severity of the hyperthyroidism. Patients who are hyperthyroid will have an elevated T3 level. In some individuals with a low TSH, only the T3 is elevated and the FT4 is normal. T3 testing rarely is helpful in the hypothyroid patient, since it is the last test to become abnormal. Patients can be severely hypothyroid with a high TSH and low FT4 but have a normal T3. 

 To better understand what thyroid antibodies mean click here: 

About the author: Svetla Bankova is an author of "Life Manual for Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism"- a book, based not only  on her experience as a former Graves' Disease patient but also her research as a psychologist. This is  only book that explains step by step how and why Graves' Disease came to your life, the cause and specific steps for alternative treatment of Graves' disease. The book provides also specific steps how to treat Thyroid Eye Disease, numerous practical exercises, recipes for herbal compresses, how to use flax seed oil and many other supplements that will improve your eyes tremendously.

...She avoided an eye surgery and saw improvement in just 2 1/2 weeks! Hi Svetla, I just wanted to let you know that I have been taking the flax seed oil and using my eye drops for about 2 1/2 weeks now and I can already tell a difference -I do not have all of the pain in my eyes that I was having and I can tell by touch that my eyes are not protruding as much.   I am going to the eye doctor next week.  I am anxious to see how much my measurements have improved, because I know they have.  I just wanted to say thanks for your information, because I was not looking forward to that horrible sounding eye surgery. Thanks, Stacy P.

    I believe that once your symptoms are under control and your test are in normal range your eyes will start to improve. So besides treating the symptoms I would recommend treating the cause of Graves’ Disease as well.

Svetla Bankova

former Graves' Disease patient