T4 Reduction to increase TSH

[SassyMH]

In January I was taking 150 T4 daily and 2x5mg T3, my bloods were T4=18.1 (9-19) T3 4.98 (2.6-5.7) TSH <0.03(0.35-4.94). I have been taking T3 since Oct 2019 because I felt so ill, tired, hair loss, dry skin, muscle and joint problems. With the help of much advice on here I started taking supplements and regularly get my vit &min checked. I then discovered that T3 helped me enormously (initially paid for by me, then prescribed on NHS via endo). My TSH has been suppressed since 2014 when I had my thyroid removed (cancer) and RAI treatment. I have been discharged by my oncologist and referred to an endocrinologist with instruction to reduce my dose to stop my TSH being suppressed. In September my dose was reduced to T4 150, 3 days and 125 4 days, plus T3 2x5mg daily. I have recently started developing some of the symptoms I had before I started T3 so asked for a blood test, my results are currently T4=14.5(9-19) T3=4.46 (2.6-5.7) TSH ,0.03 (0.35-4.94).

I have been told I will get osteoporosis and atrial fibrillation if my TSH doesn't go up , is this true ?

I am starting to get muscle/joint problems, which led to me needing trigger finger surgery before, the GP doesn't seem to get the connection, but I'm sure there is one as my fingers wont bend in the mornings, this happened before when my dose was too low, has anyone else experienced this ?

I will be speaking to my GP again shortly, and may speak to the endocrinologist if I can, as I was feeling great before my dose was reduced. Any advice anyone can offer would be very welcome.

Thank you for your opinions and advice.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

I had Papillary cancer removed Feb 2020 4 mths after stroke and found with rapid, persistent AF.

thyroid and 12 right side lymph nodes were removed and 2 were infected.

Under the label LOW RISK after operation I declined RAI and suppression. 2 years on research say that the above should not be given automatically let the patient decide.

I do not take T3. I take 125mg Synthroid a thyroxin med. I take 1 x 100mg and 1 x 25mg. In each month I will take only 100mg for 1 - 3 days. Liquorice interfers with meds so don't take.

Take med in early morning with water and back to sllep for 1 hour. Take no iron, soy, calcium for 4 hours since med. Do not drink chlorinated water or fluorinated water or toothpaste.

I can keep my TSH 1.5-2.5. Need to be at that level. (NZ says TSH normal above .5-4.2. My T3 is 4 (normal) and total always top level 21 (sometimes up to 23).

Read up on Mr Gary Clayman's advice. Top USA thyroid clinic . Says keep TSH just higher than normal hence 1.5-2.5.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[JulieS100]

I had a thyroidectomy in 2014 due to thyroid cancer and was put on 125 daily, I had recurrence in 2017 so had left neck dissection and RAI,was classed as high risk and have been on 125 since then. My recent T4 was 20.9 and TSH 0.01 but my oncologist sent me for a DEXA (bone density scan) because of my age (pre menopausal) and because I've been suppressed for so many years she told me there was an increased chance of osteoporosis. DEXA scan in November 2023 and found to have osteopenia (early osteoporosis). I'm still being suppressed but am now on calcium tablets for life too. They have said they will relax my dose in the next year or so but that obviously brings risk of recurrence for me being high risk. They always ask about my heart when I have a consultation to check I've no palpitations which could mean atrial fibrillation. So I'd say that if you can get your tsh up a bit that would be best but you've got to weigh up how you feel also. Good luck!