how long before increase? TSH very high when diagnosed.

[gracegirl78]

Hi all, posted a couple of questions last week and am so grateful for the help and support i recieved, just have another one!!

my TSH was 118 upon diagnosis nearly 3 weeks ago (T4 4.9), and i was given 50mcg eltroxin..some days i feel slightly better but i know im a long way off being on the right level...im wondering how long i should leave it before getting retested? i have been on meds for about 18 days only, so was thinking in about 10 days (thats what the doc receptionist said), but then it will be another week before the results come.

Would it be usual practise to ask for an increase in dose at the actual app or will doc increase purely based on bloods?

Also, what can i expect my optimum level to eventually be, and how long does it usually take to get there? my husband and i were hoping to try for another baby in a few months, but i know there is no way i can carry a pregnancy until my levels are right!

im 35, medium build and height, not sure if that makes any difference.

thanks so much to anyone who can advise xx

[marram]

gracegirl78,

I suspect the doctor will try to get your TSH into the 'normal' range, but those of us who have had this condition for a very long time know full well that 'normal' is just not relevant. There is someone on here who has a TSH which is well above 'normal' (anything from 0.5 to about 5) and she feels fine.

Many others, myself included, find they do not feel well until their TSH is so low it is almost unmeasurable.

The four weeks would be a reasonable time if, say, you were on 100 and had raised it to 125. But to wait so long on such a tiny dose as 50 is a long time. Perhaps you could book the blood test first, ready for your GP appointment? I don't know if you can, in our surgery you can book the blood test yourself in preparation for the appointment and it saves a lot of time. You could expect to gradually increase every few weeks until you reach about 75 to 100, and then reassess the situation. It is possible you might find that 100 or so will be needed, for you to have the optimal levels of thyroid hormones.

It is particularly important if you want to have a baby that your thyroid levels should be optimal rather than only just enough, and during pregnancy it is vital that your thyroxine levels are good. For this reason, once the doctor feels you are on the 'right' dose according to your TSH, that you ask him to test the free T4 and T3 rather than just the TSH. If he says it is not necessary, talk to him about your wanting to have a baby etc.

If he will not listen, then it is worth it to have these tests done privately, for your own peace of mind.

Marie XXX

[gracegirl78 in reply to marram]

thanks Marie,

also thank you for your advice on a previous post, its most appreciated

i think i may book app for thursday, i will have been on meds for 3 weeks then, will that have been long enough for my levels to change? i cant do tests separately unfortunately...things are different here in ireland (im originally from UK), but i have a pretty good relationship with my doctor and hoping after talking to her she may increase my meds...or do they have to wait for blood results???

I presume 50 was just the starting dose and she planned to increase me anyway...?? would this be the norm? she gave me a 3 month prescription, but i really dont think i can continue with so many bad days for that long!!

Laura x