Hello

[Samantha118]

I am newly diagnosed hypothyroid with a TSH of 60.3 and FT4 10.7 GP hesitant to increase to 75mcg levo from 50 as my TSH is only 4. Symptoms are difficult swallowing, pain in throat, feeling tired and cold. Advice appreciated.

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Samantha118.

You are undermedicated which is why you are symptomatic. GP should increase dose to 75mcg.

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.3 - 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.

[Mary-intussuception]

Hi, Is your TSH 60.3 or 4?

Either way, it's too high and your dose should be increased.

As newly diagnosed you should also have had Free T3 tested. Ask for this and Thyroid Antibodies tests too: TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase ) and Tg (Thyroglobulin ).

Ask GP to test some nutrients levels:

Vitamin D, Calcium

B12 and Folate

also Ferritin.

When posting results again or adding in here it would be helpful if you could add the ranges in brackets.

Hope GP does all the tests you ask for, if they refuse then I would ask for a referal to an Endocrinologist.

[Samantha118 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

My TSH when diagnosed was 60.3 (0.2 - 4.2)

It is now 4 (0.2 - 4.2)

I have TPO antibodies of 606 (<34)

TG antibodies 7000 (<115)

[Samantha118 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

I am under an endocrinologist

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Samantha118]

Did the Endocrinologist tell you your diagnosis is Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis & Hypothyroidism?

Did he mention what your target therapeutic TSH is?

So your TSH was very high, you were then given a start dose of 50mcg Levothyroxine and refered back to GP?

Had 2nd tests after 6 weeks and refused your increase even though your TSH is still high?

This is very poor treatment from the Endocrinologist. I thought they were supposed to treat you until you are stable - before discharging you back to GP for life monitoring.

You could try phoning Endo's secretary and say you are not at all well and would like to be seen again in clinic asap. Or just ask for a presription for your next dose.

[Samantha118 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

No diagnosis given except primary hypothyroidism. No mention of what my target therapeutic TSH is. Referred back to GP after levo was given, no increase given. Will insist on this

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Samantha118]

My Endo wrote my GP that my target TSH is 2.

(after 3 clinic visits and three sets of blood tests; Short Synacthen Test - had already had the Ultrasound scan of my Thyroid arranged by GP)

However, I have read on here of the popular opinion that a maximum TSH of one is ideal. Either way, yours is too high.

You deserve full tests also - including FT3.

All the best.