Low Blood pressure - thyroid level low

[penny2011608]

problem is found: it is a very very low thyroid...again \hemoglobin is 118.
The doc has increased the dose of levothyroxine again and I am to come back in 6 weeks. How long will it take before I start to feel any improvements? Obviously I should be back on track in 6 weeks. I just have been feeling poorly for 7 weeks and would like to know when I can expect to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Txs Penny

[Barb135]

No, you've got it backwards. If your TSH is high, that often means that your FT3 and FT4 are too low, which is what causes you to be hypo.  

If TSH is very low, THAT is when FT3 and FT4 are too high, which causes you to be hyper.  

FT3 and FT4 are not secreted by the pituitary.  Those are hormones produced by the thyroid - mostly FT4, which is converted to FT3 for use by the cells.

TSH is a pituitary hormone, which is the body's way of telling the thyroid to produce more T4 and T3.  TSH is at best, only and indicator of thyroid issues and should never be used alone to diagnose or treat a thyroid problem.

Your TSH is over the normal range, therefore, that indicates you are hypo and that quite possibly, your FT3 and FT4 are either below range or too low in the range, and your medication should NOT have been decreased.

[penny2011608]

Barb I have an explanation for why my levothyroxine has been lowered. My TSH level was 5.4, so apparently what this means is my T4 is too high, which in turn makes for a hypo (low) acting thyroid. The reason for the high TSH is too much levothyroxine which is why the lowered the dose.
So to better understand; T4  and( there is another one , I think it is T3) are secreted by the pituitary gland, when these are too high or too much, it cause the opposite to happen to the thyroid gland causing it  to work incorrectly causing hypothyroidism.
This information came from the pharmacist. It is not a word for word quote, only what I remember from the conversation.
Thanks for you help.

[Barb135]

No, it doesn't make sense, but I'd have to know what the 4.5 is for.  If your thyroid levels are low, they should be increasing, not decreasing your dosage.  

If you are in the US, your doctor is obligated to provide a copy of your lab, for your records.   You should ask for a copy.  

[penny2011608]

I have never received documentation, I am just told it is too high or too low. But I am more confused than ever. When I came home from the hospital ( I was taking 75mcg) I had blood work done. I was asked if i remembered to take while in the hospital, the answer was yes. The GP wrote out a prescription for 100mcg and I was to discontinue the 75mcg. I went back to have the levels checked again on Monday, Tuesday I was call on the phone and told the thyroid was really low ( she said 4.5 I think) and changed my does of levothyroxine to 88mcg. I have always been treated for HYPOthyroidism. Is what the GP doing here making any sense to you. I thought you took levothyroixine to bring your levels up????
Txs P

[Barb135]

It takes about 6 weeks for a dosage change to take full effect, but you could start seeing some minor improvement much sooner than that.

Can you post your most recent thyroid blood test results?  Please include the reference ranges, as these vary from lab to lab.