How long until does it take for Synthoid to work?

[jgilch25]

I was just wondering how long it normally takes to get TSH counts to a normal level after increasing Synthroid dosage.  I am going from 150 mcg to 200 mcg.  Thanks!

[redheadaussie]

Depends on what you mean by 'normal levels'. For me normal is not normal for someone else.

I am curious as to what your TSH is at the moment. What it was BEFORE you were increased and how often does your doctor test you.

Does your doctor test you only for TSH? If so they are not seeing the bigger picture.

[Smilerdeb]

My last TSH showed hypo yet  felt ok sp dont 'live' by the TSH rule.
Get to a level you feel comfortable at.
This may take 6 months but well worth the trouble.

[Barb135]

It generally takes 5-6 weeks for you to get the full effect of a dosage change; however, you might begin feeling some changes sooner.

I totally agree with everything that gimel said.  My pcp recently insisted (against my will) on dropping my levo dosage because my TSH was very low -- almost immediately after I began the lower dosage, I was right back to hypo he//.  I saw my endo on Friday and after explaining what had happened, he immediately raised me back up, with the comment that "you can't just go by TSH *and* it's important to look at symptoms first".  When my pcp lowered my dose, I was almost symptom free and actually needed a slight increase rather than a decrease --- sure won't let that happen again...........

[gimel]

Unfortunately doctors still cling to the "Immaculate TSH Belief", and assume that they can determine everything they need to know about a patient's thyroid status, by testing for TSH and  medicating by TSH level.  This is not the right approach because TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by many variables, and it does not correlate very well at all with hypo symptoms.  

If you haven't been tested for free T3 and free T4, then I suggest that should be first priority.  The cause for your being hypo also should be part of the consideration for treatment.  Most important is whether you are still  suffering from symptoms.  If you were feeling fine, with no symptoms, then why change the dosage at all.  If you still had symptoms, then you should push toward getting the doctor to treat your symptoms by testing and adjusting  FT3 and FT4 to alleviate those symptoms.

In my opinion the best way to treat a thyroid patient is to test and adjust the actual, biologically active thyroid hormones (free T3 and free T4), with whatever medication is required to alleviate symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Frequently this will require that FT3 is adjusted to the upper part of its range and FT4 adjusted to at least midpoint of its range.  Symptoms relief should be all important, not TSH level.  

I

[6hashi]

you are making such a big increase !!
how much does you weigh ??
is this supervised with an endo ?
the TSH might respond in around 6 weeks, but it might take much more to feel the effect of the med !