What should my TSH level be?

[RhubarbAndCustard]

I'm 6 months post-surgery for having a Total Thyroidectomy after battling with Graves Disease for nearly 4 years. After my surgery it was discovered that I had a papillary tumour which turned out to be cancerous, so feeling glad I opted to have my thyroid removed.

I am now trying to get my levels right, I'm on 125mg of Levothyroxine and I am actually feeling well for the first time in ages. No palpitations, etc. I've just rang up for my latest blood test results and my TSH is still high and they want to up my dosage to 150mg. I'm concerned I might start suffering symptoms again.

My results were:

TSH: 7.75 (0.35-5)

T4: 16 (9-24)

What level should my TSH be? It has decreased as it was 12 back in March.

Thanks!

[shaws Administrator]

Your surgery was correct to phone you. The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower and yours is very high so you're not yet on an optimum dose. They should increase prescription. Usually it is by 25mcg on every increase until TSH is 1 or lower. Some doctors think that 'somewhere' within the range is o.k. and don't increase dose.

As they raise your dose, the TSH should reduce. I am glad you feel well at present which is good but you do need the correct dose. The Free T4 and Free T3 should also be in the upper part of the ranges but the 'frees' are rarely testd.

[Hidden]

Your TSH is much too high. When I left hospital after my TT in 2015 I was handed a letter from my surgeon also a copy was sent to my GP. The letter stated that my TSH was to be kept suppressed, mine is about 0.005 this is a precaution against cancer returning.

[RhubarbAndCustard in reply to Hidden]

Oh wow really? Even after a TT? Where could the cancer return?

[Hidden in reply to RhubarbAndCustard]

Sometimes there is residual tissue left over but not at all lightly. Yours like mine was papillary cancer so very very slow growing and nothing to worry about. My surgeon was one of the best in France so, therefore, I took his advice.