Adjusting the thyroxin dose

[angelaat27]

Hi - 6 months ago my doctor decided to increase my dose of thyroxin from 125 mcg to 150 because my TSH was 5. Now I've just had my checkup dose and it is very different: TSH .18 and T4 21.2. This looks like I'm now over medicated. Am I interpreting this right. Sorry I forgot to ask for range.

[Treepie]

More important is how you feel on the higher dose but really need the T4 ranges.

[Clutter]

Angelaat27, Probably not, it really depends on the FT4 range. 21.2 is almost top of most ranges and will be slightly over in some. Mildly over range isn't usually a problem. TSH is below range but isn't suppressed. Unless you feel over medicated resist any attempt to reduce your dose. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

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I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[angelaat27]

Thanks folks. I spoke to the doctor this morning who gave me the range for T4 as 11.5 - 22.7. So I'm up at the top with 21.2. She wants me to change my dose to alternate days of 150 mcg and then 125 mcg to see what that does. I'm on a low carbohydrate diet (just over a year now) so have lost one and a half stone but that has been stable for some time. My symptoms that seem to be metabolic are rarely sleeping for more than 5 hours, breathlessness when first lying down but no problem otherwise, and a recent return to quite violent hot flushes (I'm 71 and otherwise pretty fit). No other medication.

[greygoose in reply to angelaat27]

How do you feel about that change in dose? Do you feel over-replaced? Do you want to see what it does? Or are you happy the way you are?

If you Don't want to reduce, then refuse. She's there to guide you, not dictate to you - and certainly not to experiment on you! Remind her that although the FT4 is top of the range, and TSH low, she hasn't seen the most important test : the FT3. And that's the one that will tell you if you're over-replaced, not the other two. T3 is the active hormone, T4 (Levo) is the storage hormone. If your T3 is low, you'll have symptoms.

It's your health, your body, you make the informed décisions. Not her.

[angelaat27 in reply to greygoose]

What would a good T3 result be greygoose? Or even what would be a bad T3? I've another appointment on Monday (as opposed to telephone conversation) so would be good to be in a position of strength.

[greygoose in reply to angelaat27]

A good T3 result is the one that makes you feel well. And for most people, that's up near the top of the range - or even slightly over.

Ranges are arbitary, and just there as a guide. It's not good to stick to them religiously. It's how you feel that counts. And if you Don't feel well, then something needs to change.