Old partial thyroidectomy and rising TSH

[wendyk320]

Sometime in the 1970s, in my early 20's, I had a partial thyroidectomy for the removal of a large cold nodule and have been taking synthroid ever since.  For the past two decades or so, the dosage has been 37.5 (half of a 75) mcg per day and it has kept me within range.  The TSH on my last bloodwork a little over a year ago was 3.5.  On recent bloodwork, it was up to 6.5.  I was actually happy to hear it because it helped explain some recent symptoms -  weight gain despite attempts to lose weight, joint pain, mental fuzziness, occasional unusual fatigue and hoarser than usual voice, most of which were mild and easily attributable to advancing age - I will be 60 in a couple weeks.  My internist doctor just retired, so his colleage who does not know me, spoke with me over the phone and doubled the dose to 75 mcg per day and wants to recheck the TSH in 4 months.  He did not want to see me in person.  With my history, should I be seeing someone - an endocrinologist? - for a physical exam of my thyroid?  Any other thoughts?  Thank you!  

[wendyk320]

Thank you!  I'll ask to be retested in 6-8 weeks.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

A dose increase was appropriate - either to 50 or 75 mcg per day -- but a retest in 6-8 weeks would be more common.