normal TSH range

[kathy1029]

hi,

i was looking back at my labs, and before i started taking NDT i had labs done, my TSH was 2.16 and i was taking 75mcg's levothyroxine, what would a normal range be for someone on 75mcg of levo? this will help me figure out how much NDT to take now.

thank you

[shaws Administrator]

Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work out that way. If you have been taking 75mcg of levothyroxine and your TSH is 2.16 even though it is in the 'normal' range it is usually too high for many of us. Therefore a rise in levo would have been in order to 100mcg of levo. 1grain of NDT is equal in 'effect' to about 100 mcg levo so you could start at that dose. A link which may help:

stopthethyroidmadness.com/m...

[kathy1029 in reply to shaws]

thank you for that ratio and explanation of my levels. so, 2.16 is considered high, and to bring down that number down i would increase something, in my case, NDT.

thank you

[shaws Administrator in reply to kathy1029]

We who are hypo believe that is too high but some doctors mistakenly think it's fine to be within the 'normal range'. In some countries they first prescribe thyroid hormones to a patient who has a TSH of 3.

A couple of excerpts from a Pulse online article.

6 What is the correct dose of thyroxine and is there any rationale for adding in tri-iodothyronine?

The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range – 0.2-0.5mU/l. and

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This ‘exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism’ is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l).

[Shibby]

Hi there, hope you are feeling a bit better now being on the levo. I hope you dont mind me asking you a personal question but I would like to know how you got put onto Levo with the TSH you had? I'm 2.5 TSH with a FT4 of 13 but deemed within a normal range (will phone my GP and ask what their ranges are) and have been feeling more tired and 'space cadet' lately with other hypo symptoms (what prompted me to get my levels checked). Just wondered what kind of symptoms you had and if you were deemed within a normal range? Thanks

[kathy1029 in reply to Shibby]

hi,

i wasnt at 2.9 when i was first diagnosed, i was at 5.9 (or right around that number) i was called "sub-clinical" hypothyroid, the 2.9 was my number after being treated with levo for a few years. I doubt they will diagnose you at that range, but ill tell you what i would do, if i thought it was my thyroid, id try the Natural Desiccated, but thats me, it is a natural medicine. sometimes you have to go with your gut and the research you do, and not with some doctor who gets a kickback every time they write you a script for synthroid (levo) when you look at it that way, who really has your best interest? your heart or some stranger with a Phd?

since joining and starting the post 10 months ago, i went off the levo (it made me ill every waking day) got rid of my primary care doctor, bought NDT online, and my life has been TRANSFORMED, my TSH is now 0.05 (what the idiot doctors call supressed, i call it AWESOME!!!) i take two NDT a day at 60mg per pill.

and it has taken a LONG time to repair my body of the complete lack of T3 in my systen, but it keeps getting better and never worse

trust in yourself

[Shibby in reply to kathy1029]

Thanks so much for your reply. Got told by the docs they don't treat anything until it's 10 or above. Asked her to do my antibodies just for my own peace of mind and she agreed through gritted teeth, will wait to see the outcome. I really appreciate your advice and will consider my next move based on my results

[kathy1029 in reply to Shibby]

im sorry, i guess im just jaded by doctors at this point, im sure there are good ones still and as far as your thyroid, of course you want to do further testing, instead of just jump into some online med. i just read over my message to you and i look like a crazy bitter person, its just the things you may go through before you finally say "ive had enough" can make you feel like less of a patient to some dr's.

i will say if you have some of the symptoms of hypo and your level is in the mid 2 range, they will not prescribe that med, i couldnt move my head without nausea and the headaches were awful for me at 2.7 but everyone is different. and good luck at least you arent willing to just take no for an answer, i hope you get well soon

[Shibby in reply to kathy1029]

No I didn't feel like that at all from your reply don't worry. I know EXACTLY what you are talking about concerning the doctors. I keep having symptoms that make me feel sick, dizzy, tired and like I am about to pass out quite a bit, along with other hypo symptoms. Doctor didn't seem concerned at all about these, belittled every symptom I said and told me to get exercise and a good nights sleep? Yes that will overcome three years of feeling like this why didn't I consider it sooner?! It has been mentioned to me before about NDT, as I know people who have not been given thyroid meds and have been offered antidepressants instead!