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TSH levels
After having a total Thyroidectomy in 2007 as a result of having Thyroid cancer, my medication Eutirox has been reduced several times. I've gone from taking 100mcg weekdays and 150mcg on the weekends to 00mcg during the week and 75mcg on the weekends. I don't understand why my TSH levels have dropped to 0.05 now my Endocrinologist wants to reduce my dosage again!! I am also gaining weight and feeling very tired, I sometimes get really bad joint pains too. My FT4 is 1.11 FT3 3,3
Puffy eyes can be a symptom of hypo, but since yours are also red, I might tend to lean toward your GP's diagnosis. You tolerated 100 mcg well before, so my guess is that this might be something else.
You could have a hypothalamus or pituitary issues going on. Do you have problems with any of your other hormones, unstable BP, temperature, etc.?
You could have a hypothalamus or pituitary issues going on. Do you have problems with any of your other hormones, unstable BP, temperature, etc.?
The reason my Endo lowered my dose was to see if TSH level would change as she thinks I may have a problem with my hypothalamus.. I have to have further tests in 2 months time.
I am back on my previous dose of Eutirox and one week later I'm experiencing a strange facial burning sensation and my eyes are really puffy and red underneath, wondering if changing dose from 75mcg to 100mcg daily would cause these kind of effects. My GP thinks not, says I have an allergy!!
I am back on my previous dose of Eutirox and one week later I'm experiencing a strange facial burning sensation and my eyes are really puffy and red underneath, wondering if changing dose from 75mcg to 100mcg daily would cause these kind of effects. My GP thinks not, says I have an allergy!!
It seems your doctor is running FT3 and FT4 test, but not really looking at anything but TSH.
Your FT4 is in range, but way too low in the range. It's in the bottom quarter. Many (most) of us find that FT4 has to be at least midrange before their symptoms are relieved.
Your FT3 is not just low, it's dismal. It's below range, and the target here is upper half to third of the range.
TSH is very unreliable. It's a pituitary hormone and can be affected by many factors other than thyroid hormone levels. Which meds you take, how long you've taken them, life events, stress (just to name a few) can all affect TSH. The best way to treat is to adjust FT3 and FT4 levels so that symptoms are relieved, regardless of the resultant TSH level.
Since you've had thyca, your doctor probably wants to keep your TSH levels as low as possible, so I really don't understand why he keeps lowering your meds.
In addition to needing an increase in your T4 meds (levothyroxine), it also looks like you are a slow converter. You might want to add a direct source of T3 (Cytomel) to your meds.
This doctor is keeping you sick by ignoring your symptoms and dosing by TSH alone. You might need to start shopping for a new doctor who is more in tune with thyroid.
Your FT4 is in range, but way too low in the range. It's in the bottom quarter. Many (most) of us find that FT4 has to be at least midrange before their symptoms are relieved.
Your FT3 is not just low, it's dismal. It's below range, and the target here is upper half to third of the range.
TSH is very unreliable. It's a pituitary hormone and can be affected by many factors other than thyroid hormone levels. Which meds you take, how long you've taken them, life events, stress (just to name a few) can all affect TSH. The best way to treat is to adjust FT3 and FT4 levels so that symptoms are relieved, regardless of the resultant TSH level.
Since you've had thyca, your doctor probably wants to keep your TSH levels as low as possible, so I really don't understand why he keeps lowering your meds.
In addition to needing an increase in your T4 meds (levothyroxine), it also looks like you are a slow converter. You might want to add a direct source of T3 (Cytomel) to your meds.
This doctor is keeping you sick by ignoring your symptoms and dosing by TSH alone. You might need to start shopping for a new doctor who is more in tune with thyroid.
@ goolarra
My FT3 is 3.3 range is 3.9-6.6 so that's low
FT4 is 1.1 range is 0.93-1.70 that seems normal
TSH 0.05 range is 0.3-4.2
What really baffles me is why does TSH get lower when Eutirox dose is reduced???? My dose has been lowered 4 times and it just keeps on getting lower.
I felt good when I was on a higher dose of Eutirox but my Endo insists that it should be lowered!
My FT3 is 3.3 range is 3.9-6.6 so that's low
FT4 is 1.1 range is 0.93-1.70 that seems normal
TSH 0.05 range is 0.3-4.2
What really baffles me is why does TSH get lower when Eutirox dose is reduced???? My dose has been lowered 4 times and it just keeps on getting lower.
I felt good when I was on a higher dose of Eutirox but my Endo insists that it should be lowered!
TSH is a pituitary hormone and a poor indicator of thyroid status. Just because TSH is low does not mean you are hyper (overmedicated) unless hyper symptoms are present as well. Your symptoms sound hypo, not hyper.
What are the ranges on your FT3 and 4? Ranges are specific to each lab so have to be posted along with results.
Several of our members find they have to have TSH at almost zero before their hypo symptoms are relieved.
What are the ranges on your FT3 and 4? Ranges are specific to each lab so have to be posted along with results.
Several of our members find they have to have TSH at almost zero before their hypo symptoms are relieved.
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