TSH up. Help, please, with thyroxine dosing.

[Cinnamon]

My TSH was quite suppressed on thyroxine and I felt quite good. Had my six month bloods last July and it had risen to .9. Just had another set of bloods and it is up over 1.0 now. I am was on 50ug. My GP has agreed to raise to 75ug/50ug on alternating days. I am wondering if I should do around five days of 75ug to get the blood level up and then shift to 75/50. I'd noticed more tiredness and a spike weight gain about three weeks ago. Any suggestions/thoughts much appreciated.

[shaws Administrator]

Cinnemon,

I think your doctor must have a very basic knowledge of treating hypo patients. It seems to me he is dosing you according to the whereabouts of your TSH level and by adjusting medication up/down is not good for you.

I don't know how long you were on 50mcg of levo as that is usually just a starting dose and is normally increased around 6 weeks after beginning.

Some doctors only treat their patients by their TSH level and thus dose accordingly. Whereas we have to have sufficient levo to convert to to the Active hormone T3. If your GP did a Free T3 test it would good to know if you have sufficient as it is T3 which drives our metabolism not T4.

Some of us need a very low or suppressed TSH to feel well. The fact that your TSH is rising shows that you are not on sufficient.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

[Cinnamon in reply to shaws]

Hi, I've been on 50ug for several years and was fine -- only last few months I've noticed a shift. What I'm most wondering about is why TSH rises after a period of being suppressed. I don't have problems with my GP -- she is more responsive than many. I know I need a suppressed TSH to feel well but my issue is more why would it start to rise again after being suppressed?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Cinnamon]

This is a link which may be helpful and our TSH doesn't remain the same it varies throughout the day too.

thyroid-info.com/articles/t...

[crimple]

Might be worth getting tested for antibodies. My TSH went all over the place and asked fro TPO test which was very raised. Reduced it by following gluten and lacto free diet!

[humanbean]

If your nutrient levels have dropped it can change thyroid function test results. For example, my conversion from T4 to T3 improved when I got my iron up to a healthy level and my TSH reduced as a result. I felt better too.

Ask your doctor for testing for iron, ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D and folate. Ask for a copy of the results including reference ranges, post them on the forum, and ask for comments.