Going off Synthroid?

[steler]

I am a 29 yr old male and have been taking 50 mcg of synthroid for about 7 years. At my last annual checkup my doctor and I disucssed reducing the dose to 25 mcg for three months, and then going off synthroid completely for three months and then testing again to see if perhaps the thyroid problem is gone. Is this wise? Do thyroid issues ever sort themselves out over time?

[gimel]

Barb has probably left the Forum for the night, so I will tell you what she would say.  No Way should you change your meds while you are feeling good.  What you should do is get a copy of your lab test report and post results and reference ranges shown on the report and let members help interpret your levels.  That way you'll know why the doctor even thought it would be a good idea.  

If you are not having hyper symptoms, why is there any need to reduce meds?  I expect that you will find that the decision was based on TSH, which is just wrong.  TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables that it is totally inadequate as a diagnostic by which to prescribe meds.  

In my opinion the best way to treat a hypo patient is to test and adjust levels of the actual, biologically active thyroid hormones, free T3 and free T4, with meds as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH.  symptom relief should be all important.  If, as I expect, you have not been tested for FT3 and FT4, then you should also request those tests and not take no for an answer.  Remember that you are the customer.    

[steler]

I actually don't have any results to show. The last time I got tested was a year ago and I didn't get a copy....AND I've also never had any antibody tests or ultra sound.

My checkup was earlier this week, which is when we discussed the approach I mentioned, and the doctor just wrote a prescription for the reduced dose.

Now I'm concerned. It sounds like I probably should get a better doctor.

I have no symptoms right now. Quite often I have difficulty concentrating, but I've been that way forever. Physically I feel great.

I'm having a hard time figuring out why the doctor would suggest such an approach? Maybe I should just see how I feel on the reduced dose?

[Barb135]

Some thyroid issues might "sort themselves out", but most often once you need the med, you need it for life.  

Can you post your most recent thyroid test results, along with the reference ranges from your lab report.  These ranges vary from lab to lab so must come from your own report.  

Have you had antibody tests to see if you have an autoimmune disease (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis)?  If you have Hashi's then going off med is not a good idea, because your thyroid is being destroyed by antibodies and will eventually produce no hormones at all.  You will only get sicker.  

Have you had a thyroid ultra sound to check for nodules?  If not, you need to do that before going off med.  

What if any symptoms do you currently have?