Are there "normal" fluctuations in TSH levels post-TT?

[KelDC]

Hello, old friends and newcomers,

Does anyone know if there are normal ranges of fluctuation in TSH levels following a TT? I went on Synthroid (150 mcg) almost right away,and at 4 weeks post TT my TSH was 1.7.  My Synthroid was upped to 175 mcg, and 6 weeks later my TSH was 0.25.  Everyone was thrilled, I felt great, see you in 3-4 months.

Fast forward 4 months....and my TSH was 7.6.  *&%#!!!  That seems so drastic a change to me, but my endo was pretty blase about it. She said it's very normal for it to fluctuate post-TT as the body adjusts to being without a thyroid and the synthetic hormone.

I'm now on 200 mcg of Synthroid,and I had blood drawn today.  I still don't feel well, so I would imagine they'll be another med change in a couple of weeks.

Has anyone else had such drastic changes in their levels? Thanks for your help!

[KelDC]

Thanks so much, everyone.  It helps knowing I'm not alone.  =)

I was told it could take a while for the right dose of medicine to be found, but I was not told that my TSH levels could fluctuate so wildly.  The sad part is that I was feeling awful and I didn't even think to connect it to my thyroid/meds.  Now it all makes sense!  

[bizwiz12751]

I'm also in the same boat! TT two years ago and just went to see my endo and three months ago my TSH was 0.24 (which is great!) and my labs from 1/6/09 showed my TSH at 6.45 (and I feel like ****). Told my endo that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired and I just started the first dose of Armour Thyroid this morning. We'll see how Armour does since Synthroid and Cytomel combo is not doing the trick for me.

[RavingMad]

I'm there with you Kel. I had my TT in Jan '07 & have gone hypo/hyper like a yo yo. I have been to GPs, an Endo & a Gynae - who all seemed uninterested & blaze` about the fact that I felt absolutely dreadful when I was hypo. My TSH (0.30-4.00) has been 0.060, 3.83, 0.059, 0.39, 3.24, 4.25, 2.88, 0.68, 0.14, 0.39, 2.74. Latest labs had a slightly different range TSH (0.40-3.50) 5.58 - definately hypo at the moment. My FT3 (2.5-6.0) has ranged from  2.0 - 5.34 & my FT4 (8-22) has ranged from 12 - 19, but last labs FT4 (9.0-19.0) was abnormally very low at 6.6  

I've felt hypo the majority of the time & no matter how high I increased my synthetic T4 (200mcgs) - I still felt like **** & had bad hypo symptoms. I changed Drs, weaned off the T4 & tried increasing doses of NTE (Aussie 'Armour') for a while, initially I felt better but then hypo crashed Nov/Dec. About 2 - 3 weeks ago I started exclusive T3 (Tertroxin), starting dose 20mcg, upping dose according to symptoms, today I upped it to 40mcgs. My Dr suspects a T4 conversion problem relating to my zinc/copper imbalances & an oestrogen dominance - so I'm also taking compounded chemist doses of vitamins/minerals, Selenium drops, Vit B complex & using progesterone cream. I rattle when I jump up & down now! Fingers crossed that we're both feeling better soon.

Rach  : )

[Smilerdeb]

I think we all have dramatic changes in TSH until we get the levels stable and the dosage right and this can take some time.
Most Doctors will tell you to allow a good 12 months for the levels to be stable.
The Meds have to be 'tweaked' and that is when they start to stabalize.
A long tedious slow road but well worth the wait.