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Avatar universal

Synthroid dose

My husband has been on levothyroxine for about 5 years now.  His dose has been slowly increased as when blood work was done, it always showed he was hypothyroid.  He got up to 200 mcg in Feb. 08 and in August 2008, his blood work was still within normal limits.  This was the longest length of time he was ever on a therapeutic dose.  Lately he's been complaining of fatigue and joint pain.  Nov. 10 he had blood drawn and TSH was 10.  His doctor increased his dose from 200 mcg to 300 mcg.  I questioned increasing the dose by such a high amount and he said "with a TSH of 10 he should be fine with that increase."  He's been on the dose since Nov. 13.  He is going to make an appointment with an endocrinologist but should we be concerned in the meantime with this dose?
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231441 tn?1333892766
Hi,

Doc Lupo doesn't answer questions added to other peoples posts.

People on armor often have low TSH.  Best way to regulate thyroid is with reference to FT3, FT4, and symptoms, and TSH should just be observed.

Obviously you are now hypo and need an increase in meds.  Target for FT3 and FT4 would be mid to high normal.

You need to discuss with your doctor how bad you're feeling and the symptoms you're having and hopefully he would agree to go back to regulating your thyroid based not just on TSH.

Best regards
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I had a thyroidectomy July 3, 2008 and is hypo.  Since November 2008, I can't seem to focus well and during conversations, I tend to lose track of my thought process.  This concerns me a great deal because I have always had a sharp mental recollection.  What can be done about this--increase my Synthroid from 125 mcg to something higher?   In addition, will my salivary gland begin producing saliva soon?  RAI therapy affected the production.  At this time, I carry a quart of water with me every where and use anticavity mouthwash before bed.  HELP!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Should my doctor be using the TSH test since I am on Armour Thyroid.  He always regulated my Thyroid using T4 and T3 but suddenly has begun using TSH.  It is always hyper by that test but he keeps lowering my Armour and now I am having a lot of symptoms of low thyroid and my T4 is 6 on a scale 5-12.5.  I sleep all day, only awake about 5 hours.  I am so cold my toenails turn blue, my face has fallen and I look really strange.  Feel really awful...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had started on levothyroxine, liquid form in aug 25 micrograms mixed w/ 10 mls of water, taking 1 ml and working up because of my chemical allergies.. I was able to get up to 8o micrograms by late nov. and had severe anxiety w/ heart flutters and faster heart rate but also felt very tired at the same time.. the Dr told me since I had blood work three weeks prior while on 50 micograms and at that time my tsh was 51.22 it would not show up yet  on blood test but it did and my tsh was 0.220.. question is I had only been on 75 micrograms 3 weeks how did I go hyper and it showed up on test to prove it so fast?  I did have a a very sore thyroid for a few day's. Could this have kicked in and put out thyroid hormones at the same time? I do have hashis..I have just started back on thyroid meds & have built back up to only 25 micrograms my tsh was 83.55 after being w/o meds for 4 weeks..the Dr now says stay on this dose for 2 months may 3 and then do blood work.. but now I have severe migraines weekly and headaches daily..
thanks for you help..

thanks
Helpful - 0
97953 tn?1440865392
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Some people need that much levothyroxine -- the problem is that there is no dose between 200mcg and 300mcg -- so often we will use a lower dose (eg 112 or 125mcg) and have the patient take 2 tablets each day.  As long as levels are closely monitored, then it should not be high risk but if he develops palpitations, anxiety or tremors would recommend talking with your doctor sooner.
Helpful - 0

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