chest discomfort on thyroxine

I have been on thyroxine for just over a year. Started on 50mcg after blood test showed borderline hypothyroid together with feeling tired. About 6 months later another doctor said my TSH of 3.7 was too high and gradually increased my throyxine, going up to 75 mcg (which produced TSH of 2.8) and 2 months later to 100 mcg (my TSH was then 1.44 and my T4 16.4.) By now I was feeling much better but my doctor wanted to up my throyxine to 125mcg as she said my TSH needed to be below 1 and my T4 above 18. After 2 weeks on this higher level I went back to doctors with chest tightness and discomfort so another GP reduced my throyxine back to 100mcg. My concern is that initially after a few days the chest problems disappeared but now about 6 weeks later they seem to have returned although not as bad. I really don't want to go back down to 75 mcg as I didn't feel well on that with memory problems. tiredness and sore eyes but I am concerned about the chest symptoms. I also still have memory problems which seem to have got worse since medication has been reduced although on the otherhand I seem to be losing weight! Also don't undertsand why I was fine on 100 mcg the first time but now I have returned to that dose I am having problems. I don't feel confident in my doctors- we have an overstrecthed surgery in UK and it is difficult to see the same doctor each time and each one seems to have different ideas on treating hypothyrpoidism so I would really appreciate your advice.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Not a clear answer to this question unfortunately.  Would retest numbers.  There is no one right TSH level for everyone, but the 1.44 seemed pretty reasonable.  There is an 88mcg dose (at least in the US) that could be used if necessary, but may be best to give it some more time with the 100mcg dose first.  Some of this is trial/error and the TSH levels help point us in the right direction.