TSH very low

[TSHT4]

I have Hashimotos and three months ago my TSH was 7.94 so my doctor increased my Synthroid. I was not smart and took too much of the medicine and yesterday my TSH is now less than 0.01 and my T4 is 1.7 ng/dl

Has anyone else had this problem?

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum TSHT4.

Please can you supply the ranges for your THS and FT4 as laboratories vary. Have you any results for FT3?

What dosage of medication were you taking when your TSH was 7.94? What was this increased to by your doctor? What did you raise this to? How long have you been taking the increased dose?

In your profile you say that you feel ‘yucky’ on the increased dose. What are your symptoms? For me, over-medication can lead to increased anxiety, tremors, palpitations, increased heart rate. These symptoms pass when my FT3/ FT4 levels are within range.

You need to be in a consistent dose of thyroid medication for 6-8 weeks before testing thyroid levels. It does take time and patience to find your ‘sweet spot’ when taking thyroid medication.

Have you tested key vitamins (ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D) which support thyroid health?

[TSHT4 in reply to Buddy195]

Hi Buddy 195, I was taking 150 mcg and my doctor increased my meds to 175. Because I didn't pay attention and was completely STUPID, I put both in my medicine dispenser so I was taking 325 mcg a day for weeks. My heart was racing, felt like I was overheated, shaking, etc. I realized my mistake and let my doctor know and back to the 175. Now my body feels like I have ran a marathon. Wiped out. Vit D was 18 so she has me taking supplements.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to TSHT4]

I’m not surprised you had such ‘hyper’ like symptoms with such a massive dose of medication. Hopefully thinks will settle soon. Don’t berate yourself; we all make mistakes. I’ve ended up in A and E when I’ve gone over range, it’s awful but symptoms will pass. Very best wishes to you.

[AKatieD]

That is not a problem, it is what you expect if you increase your thyroid treatment.

There is a feedback loop that reduces TSH in response to higher levels of thyroid hormone in your blood from the medicine you are taking.

What you need to do is look at your free T4 and free T3 compared to the reference ranges and make sure they are appropriate. TSH not important.

[TSHT4 in reply to AKatieD]

They only tested my T4 and it was 1.7

[AKatieD in reply to TSHT4]

Depends if that is free T4 (if it is total t4 that is not informative) and the reference range is needed to go with it to interpret it. Otherwise, it is no help to you

[Heloise]

This is almost a standard operating problem for many of us. While TSH may look like you have gone too far in treating the thyroid, it is merely the message from your pituitary gland to determine production from the thyroid gland. A low TSH is a good sign that you don't need more production since you are taking thyroxine orally BUT you need a full account of all the hormone parts plus symptoms to know whether the treatment is optimal. TSH and FT4 are not enough.

[Heloise]

You could have stopped all hormone for a time when you realized the error. How long ago?