Low tsh

[Sharon-1152]

Hi , does a low tsh cause low bone mass ?

My tsh is 0.01 and my endocrinologist is freaking out , she’s reduced my thyroxine and t3 . I had a bone density scan and I have osteopenia, but is my suppressed tsh to blame for this ?

Any feedback would be much appreciated

Thanks

[fibrolinda]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... Links in this post answer that.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

No

TSH is not a thyroid hormone, it’s a message from pituitary

On levothyroxine or especially on levothyroxine plus T3 TSH is almost always suppressed

Most important results are ALWAYS Ft3 and Ft4

Looking at previous posts are you currently taking T3?

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

How much T3

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

When on T3, day before test, split dose into three smaller doses roughly equal 8 hour intervals. Taking last dose T3 at roughly 8-12 hours before test

Is this how you did your test

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

[Sharon-1152 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi thanks for your reply

Endocrinologist cut me down from 100 thyroxine to 75 , and my t3 from 10 to 5 mg

My thyroxine is 14 ( 9–21 ) my t 3 . 1.2 ( 0.7–2.4 )

I take vit d k and magnesium, just started taking calcium

Doc says everything is in range

I have bloods done 24 hours after taking thyroxine and t3 .

[radd]

Sharon-1152,

Absolutely not, unless thyroid hormones are quite over-range for a considerable length of time. Equally inadequate thyroid hormone can cause the same.

Your results above show FT4 at 41% through range & FT3 at nearly 30%. By reducing both T4 & T3 meds your endo has given you quite a large reduction equivalent to 40mcg T4 when you actually had room for a dose increase. Adequate thyroid hormone is hugely important for old bone to be dissolved or resorbed, and new bone to be produced replacing what was resorbed.

Your endo clearly doesn't know that medicating T3 will reduce TSH and as such can not be used for dosing.

[Sharon-1152 in reply to radd]

Thank you for your reply , do you think it would be wise to increase either thyroxine or t 3 or even both , ? I have a lot of hypo symptoms.

[radd in reply to Sharon-1152]

Sharon-1152,

Yes, if you have enough meds go back to your old dose.

To optimise thyroid hormone levels you will probably need a further raise but you can't raise too much too fast. You also need to test FT3 12 hours after last dose for a truer reading. (Levo is 24 hours)

[Sharon-1152 in reply to radd]

Thanks I will increase my dose again 🙂

[Gismo333]

Hi, my TSH is 0.01 and my bones are fine. The TSH is just a measurement from the pituitary gland. They always freak out at a suppressed TSH but it is no indication of this. Don't cut down and be ill for your doctor. I was under the Scientist and friend Dr J C Lowe for many years and Dr Honeyman and in their opinion the TSH is the most inaccurate test of all tests. Why, because it is not telling what is in the cells, neither is the FT3 or the FT4. Always go by your pulse before rising, symptoms and get your adrenal checked to ensure they are not too low.

[Sharon-1152 in reply to Gismo333]

Thanks , what should your pulse be ? Mine is normally between 54 - 60 .