Synthroid; unusual symptoms; testing

[Maryfran33]

My thyroid was removed 6 months ago.  (The surgeon said it was small and friable and he had trouble finding the disagnosed parathyroid adenoma).

I was started on 112 mcg. Synthroid, which was way too much for me.  (I am elderly and weigh 125 lbs.)  Went down to 100 mcg., then 88, and then 75.  Have been feeling poorly for about 10 days and find out that my TSH level increased to 5.30.  It had been hovering around .95 before the lowest dosage.

So, I have begun the 88 mcg again.  How long will it take before I feel beneficiial effects?  How soon should I be tested again?

My symptoms have been poor appetite, nausea, fatigue (but also insomnia); alternate sweating and chills.

Thanks.

[Maryfran33]

Thank you for your comments.

Mary

[rumpled]

It usually takes about 6 weeks between doses before you can test as it takes that long to get a good idea of how that dose is going to work for you.

Your doc should also test more than TSH (a pituitary test) and test free T3 and Free T4 so you know what your thyroid is doing. If you are changing doses often based on TSH only, the doctor is not testing you completely - it may help to get another doctor.

Without a thyroid, you may need more thyroid, not less. You need testing - maybe on more than your thyroid.