Results of TSH after 6 weeks

[Cloud77]

Hi there,

I have just got my TSH results back after being on Levithyroxine for 6 weeks. (50mg). It was originally 12.04 and has now come down to 4.24. I am due to spk to the dr tomorrow but on my NHS record it says no further action.

I just wanted to know what the ideal level should be? Do I suggest increasing the dose or is this a fair level for it to stay at? I certainly feel less tired than when I started but would be good to get some advice before my call as wondered if I would benefit being lower that 4.24?

Thanks for your help. 😀

[greygoose]

A euthyroid TSH (i.e. the TSH of someone with no thyroid problems) is around 1, never over 2 - which shows your thyroid is struggling - and you are hypo when it gets to 3. So, you are still hypo, and yes, you should insist on an increase in dose. It's the range that is wrong, not you. And hypos usually need a TSH below one - sometimes below the bottom of the range - because they need their thyroid hormone levels higher than euthyroid.

Your doctor should not be dosing by the TSH, though. It is the least important of the three possible tests, for all sorts of reasons. The most important is the FT3 and they rarely test that. But, he should be testing the FT4, the thyroid storage hormone. TSH is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone.

[FancyPants54]

You certainly do need an increase in dose. What are you on now?

Increase by 25mcg and retest in 6-8 weeks.

Did you do your recent test using the learned wisdom of this group? ie last dose of Levo 24hrs before test. Test before 9am. Nothing to eat or drink other than water on the morning of the test. Take dose for the day as you leave the surgery.?

[DippyDame]

Nonsense...further action is required!

50mcg is a starter dose and your TSH lab indicates you need an increase of 25mcg levo....when medicated it should be 1 or less

In future refuse to change dose based on TSH alone science proves it is not a reliable marker.

FT3 followed by FT4 are the important results...they probably won't test FT3 ( shame on them!) but FT4 must be included.

TSH is a pituitary, not a thyroid, hormone. It reflects the overall hormone level (FT4 + FT3) not the level of each hormone, which is important.

Test after 6/8 weeks on a steady dose, at 9am(ish) at least an hour away from foods and drinks and 24 hrs after last dose of levo.

It is important to optimise vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin to support thyroid function.

Also test thyroid antibodies TPO and Tg if not already tested....for Hashimoto's disease.

So, yes, request an increase of 25mcg. You should feel well not just "less tired",

[SlowDragon Administrator]

increase to 75mcg daily

Retest in 6-8 weeks

Unless extremely petite….Likely to need further increase after next test

Which brand of levothyroxine is 50mcg

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested yet

Or thyroid antibodies

[SovietSong]

You have plenty of room for an increase.Im only getting back to myself with my most recent tsh at 0.09.Most GP’s including my own won’t do anything unless tsh is over 10.So someone could have a tsh of 9.9 and have loads of symptoms but the GP may do nothing.I never knew how completely misunderstood it was until joining this forum which is why I suppose it has so many members.

[Lottyplum in reply to SovietSong]

So agree with you. I feel like I'm in school every time I'm on the forum (daily)+adding more to my understanding about Hashi. Grateful for this forum is an understatement.