Hypothyroid Undermedicated ?

[4scooby]

Hi I’ve been hypo for 15years , Been stable on 75mg Levothyroxine since then until past year or so , anxiety, cold, sweating , low pulse ( I do fitness but not super fit) insomnia ,panic , back & forth to docs asking is it my thyroid to be told no it stable .Was given antidepression meds ( not taken ) Saw different doc couple weeks ago with same symptoms.Blood test done & TSH is up to 4.1 (0.35 -4.94) was informed satisfactory. My TSH has always been round 1.

[MrWellness94]

Hello 4scooby,

It definitely sounds like you undermedicated especially considering that your TSH has shot up to 4 instead of being consistently at 1, as you state. You need to ask for an increase of your levo so going from 75 to 100 mcg. Hope you feel better soon.

[greygoose]

I don't think doctors understand the word 'stable' - but then, there's a lot of words they don't seem to understand. Stable is not the same as optimal, and optimal is what we need, not satisfactory - and a TSH of 4.1 is definitely not satisfactory. When on thyroid hormone replacement, it should be one or under. You are under-medicated. That's why you have symptoms.

With a high TSH like that, your FT3 will no doubt be low, so maybe you should give up the 'fitness' until it rises again - although, to be honest, I have no idea what you mean by that.

[shaws Administrator]

How a doctor can tell a hypo patient that a TSH of 4.1 is satisfactory for a person who is on thyroid hormone replacements. The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower with a Free T4 and Free T3 in the upper part of the range. The latter two rarely test but you can have them privately if you wish.

You need increases in levo of 25mcg every six weeks till TSH is 1 or lower. You can tell your GP you need an increase as recommended by the NHS Choices for information and advice Healthuynlocked Thyroiduk.org.uk.

If GP wont test the FT4 and FT3 you can have postal tests:-

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Blue Horizon and Medichecks are the labs for home pin-prick tests and draw blood early a.m. fasting and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of thyroid hormones and test. Make sure you are well-hydrated a couple of days before blood draw.

[4scooby]

Sorry I’m late in replying , but Thank you, Ive been tired & not sleeping along with panic/attack’s. Just horrible Have doctors appt in 2 weeks time , earliest I could get to ask for increase in meds , Will let you know how it goes . A bit of previous info on my Hypothyroidism. Was diagnosed over10 years ago after previously been hyperthyroidism (radio iodine treatment) & put on propranolol, Then became very hypothyroid to the extent my daughter carried me into doctors as I could stay away or walk . Been on 75mg Levothyroxine sine then . Past few months been battling symptoms to extent I was put on antidepressants which I refused to take Fingers crosses they increase my meds

[T808]

Hey 4scooby, did you ever get it all worked out? Hope you are healthy now 🙏 I had RAI in 2000 when I was severely hyper. I was put on 150mcgs and did well on that dose with no issues for 20 years. Went gluten free a few years ago. All of a sudden became severely hyper again with a TSH of 0.002 So they lowered me to 137mcgs. Still hyper with 0.09. During that time I had panic attacks for the first time in my life. Couldn't sleep not even for an hour. Blood pressure was 160/106 Lost 30lbs in 2 months before they figured out I was hyper again. They just put me on 100mcgs but I feel slightly cold now. I'm just 1 week into that. My heart racing from being hyper still hasn't balanced out yet but it's getting better. Still races when I stand or stand still. Has anyone ever heard of such a random drastic change in doses needed all of a sudden?