Thyroid levels too high
definition
If the thyroid values measured in the blood are too high, there is usually a disorder of the thyroid function. If the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) are too high, it is an overactive function, which leads to corresponding symptoms such as tremors, restlessness or a racing heart. If, on the other hand, the control hormone of the thyroid gland (TSH) is increased, in most cases there is an underactive condition, to which the body reacts with increased TSH release. Possible symptoms include weight gain, constipation, and fatigue. However, elevated thyroid levels cannot be accompanied by any symptoms. The causes of increased thyroid values can be very different and are mostly due to a disease of the organ.
Read more about the topic here: Thyroid levels
Causes of high thyroid levels
Are the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 (Thyroxine) too high, two different diseases are possible as the cause. Often it is a so-called thyroid autonomy. There are areas in the thyroid gland that produce thyroid hormones uninhibited and detached from the control of the hormone control circuit and are therefore responsible for the increased values in the blood and the hyperfunction. Another disease that is often caused by elevated thyroid levels is Graves' disease. It is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland. This means that the body produces specific proteins (antibodies) that act on the thyroid gland. These cause the thyroid gland to crank up the production of T3 and thyroxine, thereby causing the thyroid levels to rise. In addition, in some cases the eyes also protrude because the antibodies can become embedded in the connective tissue of the eye socket. With an increase in the thyroid value TSH, on the other hand, there are usually completely different diseases, which are usually associated with an underactive (and thus too low T3 and thyroxine values). Often it is also an autoimmune disease, which however leads to a reduced thyroid function and is known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In addition to various other causes, a deficiency in the trace element iodine can lead to increased TSH levels.
Also read our topic: Hyperthyroidism
What to do if the thyroid levels are too high
What to do if the thyroid levels are too high depends primarily on which levels are elevated. The doctor can often make a suspected diagnosis based on the blood test and the conversation with the patient and a physical examination. If necessary, he will carry out or order further examinations, such as an ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland. Depending on whether there is an over- or under-function, treatment with tablets is usually first carried out. In some cases, however, it is only necessary to wait and take another blood sample at another point in time. The thyroid values are subject to constant fluctuations that depend, for example, on the time of day. This can sometimes lead to a slightly increased value without a disorder or treatment being necessary.
Also read our topics: Therapy of an overactive thyroid
What are the consequences / effects of excessively high thyroid levels?
Too high thyroid levels indicate a malfunction of the thyroid gland. Depending on which values are increased, there may be an under- or over-function. In both cases, treatment is usually quite possible, so the long-term effects are relatively small. Depending on the cause of the functional disorder, further diagnostics, for example using ultrasound or scintigraphy (pictorial representation of the thyroid function with weakly radiating particles) may be necessary. Whether or which therapy is necessary is decided based on the diagnosis made. Often, tablets must be taken temporarily or long-term. In rather rare cases, surgery or radioiodine therapy (irradiation of the thyroid gland from the inside) should be considered. In the vast majority of cases, excessively high thyroid levels can be reduced with appropriate treatment and a symptom-free life is possible. Often only check-ups are necessary. However, an untreated dysfunction of the thyroid gland can have very negative consequences. Therefore, excessively high thyroid levels should be taken seriously. For example, untreated hyperfunction (T3 and T4 too high) increases the risk of a heart attack. If an underactive (TSH too high) is not treated, this can lead to symptoms that resemble severe depression.
You might also be interested in the following topics: Symptoms of hyperthyroidism and symptoms of underactive thyroid
Accompanying symptoms when the thyroid levels are too high?
An increased level of the regulatory hormone TSH usually indicates an underactive thyroid. However, symptoms usually only occur if the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) are low at the same time. Signs of underactive are listlessness, constipation, and weight gain. In addition, it can lead to brittle hair and nails and a tendency to freeze. If, on the other hand, the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are increased, then the symptoms of an overactive thyroid occur accordingly. Feeling hot with sweating, tremors and racing heart may occur. Many people with high thyroid hormones also complain of insomnia and inner restlessness. Other accompanying symptoms can include diarrhea and weight loss. The TSH is usually low in overactive patients.
Duration of elevation in thyroid levels
There is no general answer to how long an increase in thyroid levels lasts. If the values are only slightly increased, this can also occur due to fluctuations depending on the day and the values are already in the normal range again with the next measurement. However, if the increased values are actually based on a thyroid dysfunction, the values usually do not normalize by themselves. Only through appropriate treatment, for example with medication, do they decrease. After a check-up, often after two weeks, the values are determined again. If the values are still increased, the dosage may be too low and must be increased. If the dosage is sufficient, the thyroid values can be in the normal range again at the next measurement. In some diseases, such as Graves' disease, tablets alone cannot cure in some cases. Cure can only be achieved through surgery or radio-iodine therapy. Thyroid hormones must then be taken and the thyroid values usually return to normal. Frequently, however, several dosage adjustments are necessary, which can take several months until values that are too high are no longer measured.
Too high thyroid levels during pregnancy
Excessive thyroid levels during pregnancy should be taken very seriously and, if necessary, prompt treatment immediately. Otherwise it can lead to serious physical and mental development disorders of the child. However, slightly different normal values also apply during pregnancy. For example, a TSH that is just a little too high can still be normal in the last part of pregnancy. On the other hand, high values for T4 or T3 are possible at the beginning of pregnancy without necessarily requiring treatment. Otherwise, treatment with thyroid hormones should be used if the TSH is too high. If the values for T3 and T4 are too high, however, drugs that inhibit hormone production should be taken. These include propylthiouracil and thiamazole. The lowest possible dose is usually chosen to protect the child. In any case, regular control of the thyroid gland values and, if necessary, an adjustment of the dosage is necessary throughout pregnancy and also after the birth.
Read more about this under Thyroid levels in pregnancy
Thyroid values too high and the desire to have children - is that possible?
Anyone who has high thyroid levels and wants to have children should first have their thyroid dysfunction treated. If the TSH value is too high, the risk of miscarriage is increased. However, values for fT3 or fT4 that are too high can also have a negative effect on pregnancy and increase the risk of serious complications. Most of the time, however, the increased thyroid values can be normalized by taking tablets and then nothing stands in the way of having children. However, it is important to regularly check the thyroid values during pregnancy. The dosage may have to be adjusted due to the restructuring processes in the woman's body. If the thyroid values are too high in men, this does not prevent the desire for children. However, treatment is usually still recommended.
Thyroid levels too high despite tablets - what to do?
If the appropriate tablets are prescribed for excessively high thyroid levels and the levels are too high, there are several possible explanations. Often the dosage is insufficient and may have to be increased by the doctor after an examination and assessment. Under no circumstances should you deviate from the prescribed dosage yourself without consulting. If the tablet intake is missed more often, this can also mean that the values do not improve.In some cases, if there is no improvement, the doctor must reconsider the diagnosis and, if necessary, initiate further diagnostics. For some thyroid diseases such as Graves' disease, if the thyroid levels are too high, a change of therapy may be necessary despite tablets. As an alternative to taking tablets, surgical removal of the thyroid or targeted irradiation from the inside using radioiodine therapy are available. As a result, however, tablets with thyroid hormones often have to be taken.
diagnosis
A blood test can only determine whether the thyroid levels are too high. For example, your family doctor will take some blood through a vein, usually in the crook of your elbow. The sample is sent to a laboratory and the result is usually available within a few days. An examination of the thyroid values, however, only makes sense if the suspicion of a change is justified. Since a large number of unspecific complaints can be traced back to a dysfunction of the thyroid gland, the determination of the values is, however, often appropriate. Depending on which values are increased, the doctor can make a diagnosis and, if necessary, initiate therapy. In some cases an additional determination of special thyroid values (for example) antibodies is necessary. More extensive diagnostics such as an ultrasound examination may also be appropriate.
T3 is too high
A thyroid hormone T3 found to be too high in the blood test indicates that the organ is overactive. The free form fT3 that is not bound to transport proteins is usually determined. The cause is usually either a disease of the thyroid gland, which leads to increased hormone production, or an excessively high dose when taking thyroid hormone tablets. T4 or thyroxine as a precursor of T3 can also be increased but possibly also be in the normal range. The regulating hormone of the thyroid gland, TSH, is mostly reduced when the T3 values are too high. The body tries to downregulate the further production of thyroid hormones.
Also read our topic: T3 - T4 hormones
T4 is too high
If the T4 is too high when the thyroid levels are elevated, the thyroid gland is usually overactive. The cause can be a disease of the thyroid gland, which leads to an increased production of the hormone Tetraiodothyronine (T4) leads. Normally, the free form of T4, i.e. not bound to transport proteins, is measured, which is then referred to as fT4. Another possible cause of an increase in T4 could be treatment with thyroid hormones. If as a result the value is too high, a too high dose may be the cause. If the values for T4 are too high, the control hormone of the thyroid gland TSH is usually too low. In this way, the body tries to counteract the excessive supply of thyroid hormones. The other thyroid hormone T3 is often too high, but it can also be in the normal range.
TSH is too high
If the TSH (Thyroidea = thyroid stimulating hormone) is too high in the thyroid values, then an underactive thyroid is usually the cause. In many cases, however, this initially goes unnoticed and is only noticed by the blood test. TSH is the control hormone of the thyroid gland and is produced by the pituitary gland (Pituitary gland) educated. It stimulates the thyroid gland to produce and release hormones. If the body is underactive, it produces more TSH and can thus maintain hormone production in many cases. This means that the TSH is too high and the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are in the normal range. That is why there are usually no symptoms and one speaks of a latent (hidden) hypothyroidism. If an increase in TSH production is no longer sufficient to achieve sufficient hormone production by the thyroid gland, the values for T4 and possibly T3 decrease. In such a case, a manifest hypothyroidism is present. Symptoms such as listlessness, constipation, and brittle hair and nails can occur. The most common causes of this dysfunction and thus the too high TSH is on the one hand an iodine deficiency and on the other hand Hashimoto's thyroid disease. In extremely rare cases, however, the TSH is too high even in a disease that leads to an overactive thyroid. It is a benign tumor that produces TSH in an uncontrolled manner and thereby stimulates the actually healthy thyroid gland to produce excessive hormones. Typical for this extremely rare disease is a simultaneous increase in TSH and the thyroid hormones T3 and T4.
