Huge leap in TSH level - please advise!

[kozlosap]

I've been taking thryoid replacement hormones for 40 years.  When I was 20, I was severely hyperthyroid and drank the infamous radioactive iodine and ended up with very little active thyroid left.  I received my most resent test results yesterday, and I was shocked:
14 months ago my TSH was 1.67, and right now it is 8.89.  My T4 was 1.05 in Dec 12 and is now 0.90.  Can you give me some kind of relative idea as to what my daily dose should be?  I'm currently on .137 mcg.  Thanks for any help you might be able to provide me! Oh yes, I should have known because I've gained 15 pounds and cant seem to get it off!!!

[kozlosap]

Thanks so much for your info! I have felt that I was on too low a dose for a while, but this is the first time the test results have proven me right!  My skin is also dry like an old snake!

[Totie]

I had the same thing as you after 20 yrs of being on Levo. I had RAI & then TT for graves. I was 24 (now 43).

I was on 200mcg for well over 10yrs, then as I aged and got off BC I was lowered to 125mcg, then over other years I went from 125-200mcg again.

My TSH shot up to over 10. I didn't gain weight, but my endo told me she did not like the Levo, but wanted me on Name brand Synthroid. I was on 200mcg for about a year, last week got dropped to 188mcg. I go back in 3 months. My TSH level was .02 and T4 was 1.87 so down it went.

However, that could be is because I had a fully hysterectomy about 8 weeks ago was immediately put on HRT patch so that could be it.

I do know that our age and hormone changes affects the TSH levels. I do feel better on name brand Synthroid.

[goolarra]

There's no way to say what your dose should be.  Some people take a few extra mcg and everything balances out, some have to add more.  Usually, doctors will increase in 12.5-25 mcg increments and retest in 4-5 weeks to see what the increase has done and re-evaluate symptoms at that time.

Your doctor should also be testing FT3, which is the test that correlates best with symptoms.  

What's the reference range on your FT4?  Ranges vary lab to lab, so you have to report range with result.