high TSH after my Op

[pablo1882]

i had a parial thyoroid lobectomy in November, my TSH is now 4.25. I am 100MG of levoyhroxone a day, my doc has told me to come back in 6 months for more blood tests. I assumed that I would have been told to increase the dose? I dont feel to bad generally, a bit tired now and then but mostly ok. Should I up my dose ?

[Clutter]

Pablo1882,

You are undermedicated to have TSH 4.25 while taking 100mcg Levothyroxine. Ask your GP to increase dose and retest levels 6-8 weeks later.

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.4 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

[pablo1882]

Thanks for you reply, much appreciatted. I will visit my doc when i am next at home. I work away from home so wont be able to get to him for another 6 weeks. In the meantime is it advisable to up my dose withot seeing him?

[humanbean in reply to pablo1882]

If you up your dose by 25mcg per day, will you have enough Levo to last you until you can get a new prescription?

Wherever you currently are, can you buy Levo over the counter?

[Hidden]

After my partial, I was not given any levo at all. Eventually, the remaining tissue started to work properly, giving me many extra years of normal life before a TT became necessary for a life-threatening multinodular goitre.

I am unaware whether there is a medical policy on when or whether those patients having a partial should get levothyroxine.

If you take levo after a partial the lowering of the TSH could perhaps discourage the efforts of any remaining tissues to regenerate. So it could be in your interests to do as the doctor says on this occasion and perhaps your condition, which you say is not too bad, improves or deteriorates in the next few months.

[humanbean in reply to Hidden]

I am unaware whether there is a medical policy on when or whether those patients having a partial should get levothyroxine.

I think if there is a policy it will depend on the patient's TSH, just like it does for anyone else with thyroid issues.

[SilverAvocado in reply to Hidden]

Panda321, this is very interesting. Were you hypo for a time before your thyroid caught up?