Is a suppressed TSH okay if you feel better?

I wanted to know that if I feel better with my TSH suppressed if this is okay with the consideration of long-term side effects.

[jimh111]

A supressed TSH is linked to atrial fibrillation and to some extent osteoporosis. However, TSH can be low because the pituitary is under-performing as opposed to too much hormone supressing it. Another consideration is that some patients cannot get clinicially euthyroid without having a very low TSH. In these cases there are risks with being clinically hypothyroid that may be greater than the risks conferred by having a supressed TSH.

The answer depends on what dose of thyroid hormone you are taking, what your fT3, fT4 are and your clinical signs and symptoms. Sometimes there is not a zero-risk option and overall health and quality of life have to be put into the equation.

Patients restored to good health are in a position to mitigate any potential risks by adopting a healthy lifestyle including regular exercise.

[Hidden in reply to jimh111]

I understand in my position, and it seems that I would take a long risk as long as I can do what I need to do with being productive.

[Nanaedake in reply to Hidden]

Essential to optimise and monitor vitamin D level along with ferritin, folate and B12. Have these been checked recently?

[Hidden in reply to Nanaedake]

Nanaedake Do you believe vitamin D affects the potency/efficacy of thyroid hormone medication.

[Hidden]

Nanaedake

Hi, I haven't got my nutrients tested, but I plan to talk with my doctor about it.

[Nanaedake in reply to Hidden]

Vitamin D affects so many of our functions that I wouldn't be surprised if it affected the way we utilise thyroid hormone but I really don't know as I'm not a scientist.

Low vitamin D does cause symptoms though, like bone, joint, muscle pain and ultimately rickets in children and other bone disease in adults. It may cause sluggish brain functioning and will reduce calcium levels which may in turn cause anxiety and other symptoms like breaking nails. So if vitamin levels are low, symptoms may be assumed to be thyroid symptoms.

It's very common to have low vitamins with thyroid disease. In the northern hemisphere, most of us struggle to get enough vitamin D.

I know people with thyroid disease who work outdoors all year around and then when tested due to symptoms, they had very low vitamin D levels and have to supplement. Its sorted out their symptoms.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

The most important results are always Ft3, followed by Ft4.

Often on replacement thyroid hormones TSH drops low

Important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

These need to be optimal