Aa
I feel good
I have been hypothyoid since 19yo. Had been on 175mcg of Synthroid for years, then began to feel tired & fat, the TSH was 38.8 and the MD raised the Synthroid to 200mcg. My current TSH is 0.01 (normal 0.35-5.0). My MD wants to decrease my dose back to 175mcg, but I don't want him to b/c I feel good. Is it possible that the normal TSH range may not suit everybody, and that some people with hypothyroid can benefit from a low TSH??
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This is a common situation -- the reason we look at TSH is that a low TSH is associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation (a potentially lethal heart rhythm problem) -- think of it as having high cholesterol....you feel fine now, but we treat the high cholesterol to decrease the chance of a heart attack.
The TSH level of <0.2 is usually where we want to lower the thyroid replacement dosage. The other risk of a low TSH is osteoporosis.
That being said, everyone is different and if our bodies came with instructions that included the ideal TSH level for each individual, that would make things much simpler. A TSH around 1.0 is what most non-thyroid diseased individuals have.
In your case a TSH of 38.8 is very high for the 175mcg compared to 0.01 for the 200mcg dose -- either there was an absorption issue, a generic/brand issue, an interfering med or inconsistency with the medication.
In this case, I have sometimes asked patients to take one pill six days a week and then one-half pill the seventh, but to stay on the higher dose. Work with your doctor to keep your treatment safe and effective.
The TSH level of <0.2 is usually where we want to lower the thyroid replacement dosage. The other risk of a low TSH is osteoporosis.
That being said, everyone is different and if our bodies came with instructions that included the ideal TSH level for each individual, that would make things much simpler. A TSH around 1.0 is what most non-thyroid diseased individuals have.
In your case a TSH of 38.8 is very high for the 175mcg compared to 0.01 for the 200mcg dose -- either there was an absorption issue, a generic/brand issue, an interfering med or inconsistency with the medication.
In this case, I have sometimes asked patients to take one pill six days a week and then one-half pill the seventh, but to stay on the higher dose. Work with your doctor to keep your treatment safe and effective.
I think everyone has an optimal range maybe,I too feel better(no joint or muscle pains) at a low tsh but my doc says NO!!!! Even with my free t's labs in the upper range, but in range, my doc increased my Tapazole, now I'm hypo(bottom of range) and have muscle pains, can't there be a happy medium? Why do most people FEEL better hyper?Why do doctors hate that low tsh, but if it's high they really don't treat it half the time?Please enlighten us doctor Lupo!!!
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Cancer / Nodules & Hyperthyroidism Forum
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
