TSH 150 to 1.25.. can I stop thyroid medication slowly.. ?? Pls help

Am really surprised how by just takin thyroid tablets for 6 weeks my TSH is reduced to 1.25 from 150 .. and my ft3 ,ft4 too normal... It's 3.37 and 1.44.. in report too it's given : suggesting thyroid normalcy, can I stop the thyroid meds since thyroid became normal ?

[helvella Administrator]

Amy1311,

A TSH of 1.25 while taking thyroid hormone (of any type) does not suggest "normal". It suggests treatment that is approaching a good level.

The TSH going down is no evidence that it will not zoom straight back up to 150 if you were to stop taking any thyroid hormones.

We see this issue all the time with thyroid hormone, vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron - people start some sort of supplementation/medication, their blood test looks much better, they or their doctor stops the supplement/medicine. Their levels drop. Typically at that point doctors have lost interest and do not test again. Leaving the person unmedicated and suffering. It is because of your thyroid hormone intake that your TSH has dropped.

Equally, I cannot be certain that stopping your thyroid hormone will cause your TSH to go back up to 150. But I most certainly would not be taking a TSH of 1.25 as an indication that I should stop.

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Thanks alot

[jimh111]

No. You have to continue the treatment for life as it is replacing the hormone you can no longer produce. If you are feeling well now then you can continue on this dose. You may find you will need an increase in the future because your thyroid may still be putting out a little hormone at the moment. As long as you feel well stay on this dose, if your symptoms start to come back see your doctor for an increase.

[shaws Administrator]

No, you cannot stop taking thyroid hormones now that you have been diagnosed as being hypothyroid.

Thyroid hormones are for life, as we have hypothyroidism, which can be fatal if we don't take hormones. Of course that would take a very long time as your thyroid hormones will gradually reduce but you wont feel well at all.

Just because it states 'normalcy' on your blood test form all that means is that your hormones are within a normal range. It doesn't mean the patient no longer has hypothyroidism.

When diagnosed as hypothyroid we get (if in UK) all other prescriptions free for any other problems/illnesses we may get.

The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower and you are very near that so that's very good. I hope your clinical symptoms are also being relieved.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

When you get blood tests for thyroid hormones it has to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards. This helps keep the TSH at its highest and may prevent doctor from adjusting dose unnecessarily.

Your doctor should also test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as we can be deficient which also cause symptoms.