Confused: I have had underactive thyroid for over... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,246 members166,486 posts

Confused

lizziep profile image
5 Replies

I have had underactive thyroid for over 20 years and I have just been to the doctors because of all the symptoms rearing their ugly head again (tiredness, unable to lose weight, hair loss, dry skin etc) She said that my blood test had come back as TSH 1.4 which she said means I am being over medicated ! and she was puzzled that I had the symptoms I was describing, she said she would hold off decreasing my dosage for a month and I was to have another blood test and see her again. She said all other results were normal but didn't say what.

Does a TSH result of 1.4 mean over medicated ? Thanks for any advice.

Written by
lizziep profile image
lizziep
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
5 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

lizziep

What is the range for your TSH test? I don't believe that you are out of range. You should ask your doctor what is it about your TSH that indicates overmedication.

The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it needs to be for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges when on Levo if that is where you feel well.

When you have your next test, ask for FT4 and FT3 to be tested too. If FT3 is above range, that's the only indication that you are overmedicated. If FT3 isn't tested, or comes back within range, refuse to lower you dosel and say that you're not overmedicated if FT3 is in range.

See Dr Toft's article in Pulse magazine (Dr Toft is leading endocrinologist and past president of the British Thyroid Association):

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing Dionne at

tukadmin@thyroiduk.org

print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor.

lizziep profile image
lizziep in reply toSeasideSusie

Range was 0.2 -3.0

Thank you for your reply I will follow up on the article

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply tolizziep

lizziep

So your TSH is 1.4 (range 0.2-3.0).

Your GP needs to go to Specsavers. There is no way you are overmedicated with that result. But still important to get FT4 and FT3 tested.

lizziep profile image
lizziep in reply toSeasideSusie

That’s what I thought ? Will make sure I ask for ft4 and 3,to be tested

Treepie profile image
Treepie in reply tolizziep

They will probably refuse to do FT3 despite it being the active hormone.Might be better getting full suite of thyroid tests privately.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Confused.

I have been hypothyroid for many years on 175mcgs levothyroxin. In March 2018 I moved house and...
RattyPatty profile image

Advice, I am so confused

Hi Everyone. Sorry to bother you all again. I had a blood test I didn’t know was happening a...

Blood test results - not happy!

I had a thyroid blood test one week ago and knew the GP would consider me over medicated. I...
marigold22 profile image

Sub clinical? Confused!

Hello again! After my last blood tests my GP phoned me today and instead of telling me she thinks...
Jooju2004 profile image

Blood test results - confused!

This has probably been asked and answered a million times, so I apologise in advance for that! I've...

Moderation team

See all
Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator
RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.