Target TSH

[shelia77]

I had a total thyroidectomy in December due to atypical cells, there was no cancer thank goodness. But I am concerned what my TSH should be. It was pretty stable for awhile after surgery, and my doctor had me on 125mcg of synthroid. 6 weeks later my TSH was 8.85. So we went down to 150mcg. Then 6 weeks later it was 0.031, so switched to 137mcg and 6 weeks later it is .037, I know this is really low, but I am scared to go back down on medication. I am not having any hyperthyroid symptoms of anything. I am also trying to get pregant and I know being hypothyroid makes it more difficult as a result of mot ovualting properly I have deveopled cysts and took clomid 3 weeks ago.
Main concern is my mothers Endo said her TSH should be low(hers is .029 right now, they said because she had cancer it should stay low, is that also true for me since I do not have a thyroid like her.
I would love advice from anyone who has gotton pregnant with a thyroid condition

[paulfineman46]

i had my thyrold completey removed as i have graves but my tsh is stll high im on 100 mil of thyroxine
Any ideas i have put on weight 59 kg to 70kg
Paul

[shelia77]

Wow, that TSH is high. Are you taking vitamins too close to the time you take your synthroid? Calcium and Iron can block absorbtion of the medication, so you should wait at least 4 hours between anything else. Also if you eat alot of soy or drink soy milk it can also affect the meds. It sounds to me that you should be on a higher dose medication. The only thing I take is my Synthroid as soon as I get up, I take my Metformin(for PCOS and infertility), I take a prenatal vitamin with lunch, and another Metformin with dinner.
Also did you gain weight after your surgery and was your period irregualar, mine has been so out of wack since my sugery, which is frustrating when trying to conceive. You also need to make sure you check your TSH every six weeks until it is regualted.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Goal is around 0.3-2.0 --- there is great debate in this issue.  For cancer (if medium-high risk) then <.1 like your mom is fine.  For low risk cancer 0.2-0.5 is probably okay.

I would have thought your TSH would have gone up -- be sure to review your meds with your doc.  Would consider holding at 137 for now especially with the 8.85 on 125 and that you are trying to conceive.  Follow it closely.

[lhowell]

Smiles, your doc may have to keep increasing your meds until you reach a lower TSH level.  I've read where some people take 300mcg of Synthroid after having had a TT.  It will take some time to get your TSH levels where they need to be.  Also, the denseness your doc was referring to means that the thyroid was tougher or thicker than it should have been (abnormal).  Sounds to me like taking the whole thing out was the best route.

[Smiles4880]

I am 26 - I had my thyroid removed in December. I went into surgery thinking that I was going to have a partial thyroidectomy and ended up having a total. The surgeon said this was because the tissue was more "dense?" than it should be??? whatever that means- and that I would have ended up having to have the other side removed. Diagnosis at that time was Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. 8 months After the pathology came back, I did have some cancer cells within the thyroid, but very few and deep within the gland. Problem now - 8 months post-op and cannot seem to get my TSH down. HELP - Any suggestions?? Synthroid doses change every 2 months... up to 175mcg now and TSH is still 11.21 (and no, I am not taking them with food or any vitamins :-) )Any suggestions/ comments would be WONDERFUL!! Thanks! :-)

[Smiles4880]

I am 26 - I had my thyroid removed in December. I went into surgery thinking that I was going to have a partial thyroidectomy and ended up having a total. The surgeon said this was because the tissue was more "dense?" than it should be??? whatever that means- and that I would have ended up having to have the other side removed. Diagnosis at that time was Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. 8 months After the pathology came back, I did have some cancer cells within the thyroid, but very few and deep within the gland. Problem now - 8 months post-op and cannot seem to get my TSH down. HELP - Any suggestions?? Synthroid doses change every 2 months... up to 175mcg now and TSH is still 11.21 (and no, I am not taking them with food or any vitamins :-) )Any suggestions/ comments would be WONDERFUL!! Thanks! :-)