whats a safe dose of synthroid medication

[dar188403]

Hi folks, I had my thyroid removed because of cancer 15 years ago when I was 32 years old... The first few years were rough but I got a long pretty good.. since then I had my synthroid adjusted a few times ... I was on 88mcg  for the last 8-10 years and recenty got it adjusted to 75 mcg... i always thought the higher the dose the stronger , but the receptionist at my doctors office just told me no.. the lower the stronger... can anyone help me in understanding...ive been feeling so tired  they told me my tsh reading was at .32 ? but recently dropped lower

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The lower the TSH, the higher the thyroid levels are in the body - so the lowish TSH means maybe too much medication, resulting in lowering the dose (to a less strong dose).

[Super_sally888]

0.75 mcg is a lower dose than 0.88 mcg.

However, in some people who've been on thyroid meds for a long time, TSH can be suppressed (low).  Considering you are feeling very tired, would recommend you ask your doctor to test FT3 and FT4.  If these are low, you may need to increase your meds again.

0.75 mcg is a fairly low dose of meds for full replacement considering you don't have a thyroid.

Please read up on hypothyroid, or come over to the patient to patient forum if you need more information / support.

[dar188403]

Thanks for answering my question so quickly, so what should a normal tsh level be , so since my medication was dropped to .75 from .88 does that mean that it was too strong or too weak a dose...