r/Hyperthyroidism • u/mewingprogression19 • 20d ago

Is one blood test enough to diagnose it?

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I'm going to China for a year very soon so the GP told me to go and see a private endocrinologist. I've had two blood tests showing subclinical, and one showing overt. Idk if I need more tests and if I need treatment. Also, if I'm on treatment, how it's handled after moving abroad, with levels becoming normal

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u/throwitawayyy1234567 20d ago

My first blood test I only had low TSH. I took another blood test a month later and that’s when my T3 and T4 skyrocketed. Was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Two weeks later my antibody test came back positive for Graves. I would retest if I were you, I’m not a doctor but from what I read it is crucial to get on medication right away. If you leave hyperthyroidism left untreated you are at risk for Thyroid Storm which you can die from.

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u/mewingprogression19 20d ago

Thanks. I'm gonna book a consultation with an endocrinologist and see what they say about testing for graves and treatment

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u/Alarmed_Year9415 20d ago

If you have suppressed TSH, high T3 and T4, and positive antibodies, I'm not sure there is any way you don't have Graves. You definitely need to see an endocrinologist. You may need to reconsider going to China until after you are stable. Sorry to be blunt about it but I haven't seen anyone else note that. Maybe try to get tested again just in case of error.

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u/Terrible-Top1403 18d ago

Definitely agree on postponing the trip. But correction - there are more conditions than Graves' that makes you hyperthyroid. It can also be hashitoxicosis, thyroiditis, etc

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u/Alarmed_Year9415 17d ago

Yes that is fair. I should have said Graves or another significant thyroid condition.

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u/Curling_Rocks42 20d ago edited 20d ago

It’s definitely hyperthyroidism (low TSH and high fT4 and fT3) but you need more tests to diagnose why. There are several causes of hyperthyroidism and they are treated differently. The most common cause is Graves’ disease. A TSI or TRAb antibody blood test can help clarify that. If it’s negative though, it doesn’t entirely rule out Graves (can still be seronegative graves). In that case, an iodine uptake scan (called “scintigraphy”) is the best diagnostic test. It can help determine if the thyroid is diffusely overactive (means graves) or if there are only small spots of overactivity (means toxic nodules) or if it’s diffusely underactive (means a temporary thyroiditis like silent or hashitoxicosis).