thyroid medication after total thyroidectomy

[tigerhannah]

I had my thyroid removed 4 months ago due to papillary thyroid cancer.  I am currently in the stage of finding the right dosage of levoxyl.  After radioactive iodine treatment, I was started on 150 of levoxyl.  At my 4 week check, my TSH was .11 and I was lowered to 125 (mcg?) of levoxyl.  3 weeks later my TSH came back a .01.  My doctor said it can't get any lower than that and put me on 100 of levoxyl.  It's been 2 weeks.  I'm suppose to see him in another 2 weeks.  He doesn't have me getting bloodtests again before that visit.  I'm reading a lot about bone loss and heart problems that come along with hyperthyroidism.  I have been losing hair, some heart palipitations (not many), frequent loose bowels (2 to 3 times a day), have trouble sleeping at night.  I haven't had nervousness, but seem to tire quite a bit too.  I was curious about the length of time it takes to get levels in the normal range.  I am told the normal range is now .35 to 5.5?  Is that the latest?  Should I be concerned about the dosing at this time or is it just going to be a long trial and error event?  Thanks- Pam


This discussion is related to Medication after Thyroidectomy.

[AR-10]

It's going to be a long trial and error event.

You want to keep your TSH below 1.0 for cancer suppresion. Probably somewhere between 0.2 and 0.8, but I'm not well versed on cancer issues.