TSH Level has dropped to 0.01 on past 2 test results . Hypothyroid gone to Hyperthyroid? Still have Hypo symptoms though...............

[Dollychris]

I have had hypothyroidism for the past 3yrs and had treatment has since increased from 75 mg to 150 after changing my GP 18 months ago. The only testing has been TSH Serum level. The past 2 results (May 2013 & Sept 2013) have come back as 0.01 and both with a 'Results suggest excessive replacement therapy' tag on them. Was told no need to see GP but feel really unwell and hypothyroid symptoms still prevail. Not good at asking GP questions but have eventually secured an appointment for 9.30 tomorrow morning so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading.

Was diagnosed 3 yrs ago and after 18 months was 3.86 when I finally changed to my husband's surgery. Levo was raised to 125 then 150mg. Jan Results came back 0.07, then 0.01 with my last result for this September being 0.01 again.

03/09/2013 Serum TSH level <0.01 mU/l Low Serum TSH (Patient on Thyroxine replacement Therapy.) Results suggest excessive replacement therapy.

[shaws Administrator]

I had also have a TSH of 0.01 and lab stated - adequate levothyroxine. (I take NDT). I do feel well.

As you say you still feel unwell, I doubt you are over-dosed. You do not give the ranges of your blood tests which makes it easier for members to comment. Ask your GP if he will prescribe 10mcg of T3 to a reduced 50mcg of T4 on a trial basis for a few months, to see if that benefits you. Dr Toft of the British Thyroid Association recommended this in his article in Pulse Online if patient still feels unwell. He also states that some of us need a suppressed TSH to feel better.

[Dollychris in reply to shaws]

Thank you shaws - I appreciate your reply. My migraines were triggered again when I was first given Levothyroxine and was prescribed betablockers but the new GP I went to 18 months ago reduced them and took me off then. I take 10 mg Amytriptiline to help with Hemiplegic migraines which have helped. I will ask my GP about the T4 & T3 trial tomorrow and appreciate your advice. This condition is so complex and not easy to understand to am very grateful for your help. Is there ever going to be a 'norm' for Thyroid problems I wonder? xx

[marciacarson in reply to shaws]

have you fixed your thyroid problem? My TSH went to 0.01 also. I'm convinced it is Hyperparathyroid. The Docs don.t think of that! Look it up and do a little research, and I hope you get better, and I hope you find my answer after all this time!...Marcia from Mn.

[shaws Administrator in reply to marciacarson]

Healthunlocked have just changed the format of this forum and it is now very confusing. I think you meant to reply to Dollychris I have alerted Dollychris who may still be on the forum occasionally and can look at your message.

Thanks.

[bantam12]

Being overmedicated will give you what appear to be Hypo symptoms, I have recently been in this situation.

My Endo explained yesterday that so many patients feel really unwell with bad Hypo symptoms, fatigue, aches and pains, brain fog and they insist they need an increase (which actually makes them feel worse) whereas they actually need a decrease in dose.

Your pituitary is telling your thyroid it senses enough T4 in your system and to switch off, hence the very low TSH

My TSH was very low at 0.05 ( T4 and T3 ok ) and I was feeling rubbish, went to see a private endo who has been amazing, she advised I needed to reduce my dose to get the TSH up a bit and I can say 3 months on I feel miles better than I did, I may opt to try T3 to see if I can get to 100% better but honestly I'm not convinced I need it.

If your GP advises a lower dose it's well worth trying it before opting for other treatments, T3 should really be the last resort as it's not right for everyone and my worry with trying it is that I may undo the good that the lower dose of Levo has done for me. Incidentally I have no working thyroid but I am fine on just 100mcg, so we don't all need high doses.

.

[Seahorse57 in reply to bantam12]

Just seen this, so very helpful, thank you!

[Seahorse57 in reply to bantam12]

Would you mind saying how you've got on since reducing the T4? I know it's been a while now, really hope that it did the trick for you!

[bantam12 in reply to Seahorse57]

I'm doing fine thanks, I have tweaked my dose very slightly up to 112.5 and this is keeping levels right for me.

[Seahorse57 in reply to bantam12]

That's great news! I only found out this year that I'd been overmedicated for years, all my symptoms are of being hypo. Have seen Endo recently who reduced T4 from 150mcg to 100mcg and added T3 5mcg. Still early days re any change but really encouraging to hear your story, thank you for sharing it!

[Dollychris]

Thank you Hypophen. I was a little worried that having been over 10 at one point and now down to such a low 0.01 TSH with the mention on the results that I may be overmedicated and could need a lower dose of Levo. From 75 to 150 is double what I was taking 18 months ago so this is why I question if I have become Hyperthyroid although I don't feel any different to before. Will see what my GP advises tomorrow. Thank you taking the time to reply - I really do appreciate it. x

[Heloise in reply to Dollychris]

What are the chances you could get a free T3 test. It's always best to see how TSH, FT3 and FT4 relate to each other. drrind.com/therapies/thyroi...

TSH alone is unreliable as you can read here. stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

[France1]

I was convinced my continued symptoms after a TT were hypo and wanted to up the dose of T4. After getting to 137 Levo they started to bring it down and I am now on T4 75 and 10 T3 - any higher dose and I start to get racing heart and more aches - it is possible they will bring this down further. My last TSH was 0.014 and my T4 and T3 were fine. I am doing better (not 100% though) on the lower dose.