I'm on 150 200 levothyroxin just got blood results back and TSH is up to 6.1 cholesterol 7.2 whats next step I thought I was on max dose

[oldman]

Iv'e been Hypo for 5 years and have put up with it but last 6 months have felt rough tired Doc originally said it was my shift work

[Hidden]

Hello Oldman

TSH seems high and also cholesterol. TSH on its own doesnt't show the whole picture, do you have T4 (with reference ranges), or even T3 (not many surgeries do this one). TSH is the response from the pituitary gland to the thyroid to make more T4 and should be in the region of 0.4 to 4.0.(these vary from lab to lab)

From my own experience high cholesterol goes hand in hand with an under-medicated thyroid, and mine has come down on its own (without statins) from 7.4 to 6.2. I won't take statins because I believe cholesterol will fall when I have right thyroid meds.

I am not much help on shift work, did this include night-time shifts. I imagine it is possible to get out of synch working shifts, but perhaps someone else on here with more experience can comment on that.

[shaws Administrator]

I doubt your GP knows much about hypothyroidism. A rising TSH for someone on medication usually means you are not on the right dose. Do you have blood test as labs differ throughout the country and it helps when commenting.

Even though your GP said 'night shift' may be the cause, he should have immediately stepped up your dose by 25mcg and told you to come back in 6 weeks for another blood test until your TSH is 1 or below.

Did he not give you a prescription for more medication.? If he didn't do the tests as suggested by Jan above, make an appointment and tell him you need a whole Thyroid Function Test. Get a print-out of the results and post on a new question. I wouldn't delay as you are obviously undermedicated according to your TSH While you're at it also get a Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as the first two are usually deficient in hypo. Also get your blood test at the earliest as the TSH is higher too.

[Bears010]

It could be that you're not converting t4 to t3 not that you need more t4. On that dose it will be impossible to get an increase. Ask your doc to test for conversion and your vit/minerals adrenal function (good luck). You might get it if you call it 'secondary adrenal insufficiency' definately NOT adrenal fatigue! In my experience the docs in Scotland are better than down here.

Good luck

X

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

There is no maximum dose. Documentation often says things like "typical dose of 50 to 200". But one person was on a dose of 3000 - for several years - and seemed perfectly well.

People vary. So doses need to vary between people.

Rod