New to this advice needed

[TAS66]

My TSH levels were 10 when i started taking 50mg of Lavothyroxine 6wks ago, now they are 1.7. Why if my levels have improved do i still feel exhausted and so tired i could cry!

[shaws Administrator]

The TSH isn't from the thyroid gland. When thyroid gland is failing the TSH rises so you are hypothyroid. Hypothyroidism is a serious condition if untreated/undertreated and we don't pay for any other prescriptions (if in the UK) for any other medical condition:- This is an explanation of TSH:-

TSH is produced when the hypothalamus releases a substance called thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). TRH then triggers the pituitary gland to release TSH. TSH causes the thyroid gland to make two hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). T3 and T4 help control your body's metabolism

When thyroid hormones are too low our body cannot function properly as they are needed to allow our heart to pump optimally, our temp to rise (both pulse/temp are usually low with hypo). It is a whole body experience. Doctors prescribe T4 (levothyroxine) which is a synthetic T4. T4 and T3 being the main hormones. T4 is inactive and should convert to sufficient T3. T3 is the active hormone required in the billions of cells in our body and if T4 is not raised to supply sufficient T3 we will still have clinical symptoms. The aim of any thyroid hormone replacements have to be at an optimum, which means we feel well with no clinical symptoms.

If/when diagnosed a blood test should be given every six to eight weeks with a raise in hormones to bring TSH to around 1 or lower till you feel well.

[Clutter]

TAS66,

Symptoms can lag behind good biochemistry by a few months. If you aren't feeling any improvement in a couple of months ask your GP to test ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate as low levels/deficiency are common in hypothyroid patients and cause fatigue, musculoskeletal pain and low mood.

[greygoose]

Just because your TSH has fallen, it doesn't mean that your FT4 and FT3 are in the right place. It's low FT3 that causes symptoms, not high TSH. You really need your Frees tested.