TSH after discontinue thyroid medication

[thyroida]

I was misdiagnosed with Hypothyroidism and took Levothyroxine for 11 mths.  After I discountinue the thyroid medication, should my TSH return to the same level as before taking medication?  

[Smilerdeb]

It will take a while (few weeks at most) for the TSH to come back down but why the misdiagnosis????

Have you had labs done and if so , can you post here?

Usually its important to keep an eye on the FT3 and FT4 labs while off the T4 med....make sure you keep an eye on them by regular testing.

[thyroida]

TSH prior to RX was 4, 10 wks off med TSH is 8- should it return to normal with time?  FT3 is in the normal range.

[Smilerdeb]

I would be looking into having antibody testing done.
With a TSH of 8.0 I am leaning more to the fact you may be 'clinically hypo".
TSH is still too high and your Doctor should be investigating why the TSH is that high.
It could be another autoimmune disease or even hypothyroidism and not hashi's.
The thyroid tends to do as it 'pleases' and can sometimes run away with itself causing all sorts of issues.
I still wouldnt be happy with a tsh of 8.0.
Have you had antibody testing done?
And also the adrenal and pituitary gland checked?

[thyroida]

Thanks for your help, I will look into having these tests done.  Could the high TSH be an iniitial shock from being of meds, or can thyroid permanently damaged/suppressed from being on the meds?  I didn't have any Hypo symptoms prior to taking Levothyroxine.  While on the drug I experienced severe hair losss (lost approx 50% of my hair) and muscle spasms.  

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

from your results, I suspect that you were not misdiagnosed and you really are hypo.

The symptoms may be from something else....  have those symptoms gone away now that you're off the thryoid meds?  What symptoms are you having?

TSH 8 is too high.  I would guess it means that your thryoid is slowly ceasing to function.

You can't shock the thyroid by going off meds.  Nor can you permanently suppress / damage your thyroid by meds - particularly over 11 months, which is a relatively short period.

The high TSH means that your thyroid is struggling to produce more hormone.  An analogy: a healthy horse will preform without being whipped.  But an unhealthy horse may need to be whipped to make it run, and eventually even when being whipped it can't run any more.  Your thyroid is at the stage of being whipped and it can still run (but not  as well) which is why your FT4 is still in range ...

What does your doctor say?  I think a followup or second opinion might be wise.

At least regular montiroing to see if the TSH is getting higher or lower.  Can be monitored every 6 or so weeks.... this would determine whether you need to be back on meds, or whether can continue to observe.  Probalby a comprehensive checkup to see if anythign else is going on would also be wise.

Some conservative docs won't treat for TSH below 10, as long as the patient has no symptoms.  But symptoms can be subtle and sometimes people won't realise they were low energy etc. until after they are treated...

[Smilerdeb]

Quote.......

"While on the drug I experienced severe hair losss (lost approx 50% of my hair) and muscle spasms."

Those are HYPO symptoms.
And sometimes they can 'lag' behind.

I know that when my tsh was 6.0 I felt ok but 2 weeks later I felt like a mack truck had hit me.
THATS when the FT3 and FT4 went down too.
Usually most people ;lag behind' by roughly 6 weeks but with me being super drug sensitive, mine is usually 2 weeks.

I dunno...I think Super_sally may have some insight to this and think she may be right.
I remember for the last 6 years, I have gone from fat to skinny and vice versa in no time at all and no explanation for it.
Then I was diagnosed with Graves and it all made sense.
My thyroid at some stages was normal and at other times, hyper.
Eventually the lil bu**er went hyper and stayed that way ...going into overdrive.
Just watch yr symptoms and make sure you dont go into 'overdrive ' with Hypo.
Worth investigating more I think.

[thyroida]

The symptoms have gone away, although I am not seeing any hair regrwoth at this point.  No symptoms prior to Levo (lots of energy and low weight).  Hopeful the thyroid function will return to normal, will see in 6 wks.

[thyroida]

After gong off meds my thyroid/TSH seems to be improving.  However, it is still slightly elevated.  I am considering taking L Tyrosine to improve my thyroid function- can this supplement cause hair loss by altering the thyroid levels?  My main concern is hair loss.