TSH Elevated

[km661]

You'd think after 4 yrs of med's i'd be a pro by now....but, i forget....does elevated tsh mean you need a higher or lower dose?

Former Goiter, Hyper and Graves, took RAI pill to kill it, 45 yr old, 125 lbs....and TIRED!!!

[Smilerdeb]

I have Graves Disease and had RAI in June 2008 and it was BEFORE RAI that my TSH was suppressed.Prior to RAI, I could never get my TSH past the 0.10 mark.
My antibodies were over 4000.
Since RAI my antibodies have been under the reference range meaning I am in remission at present and have been for some time..
Since RAI I started on a T4 med when my TSH rose to just over 6.0.
I was actually surprised to see my TSH go over 0.10 as it had been that for many years.
It hasnt gone under the 2.3 mark now as thats my 'comfort number'.
It has been stable for quite some time now with a T4 med and so have my FT3 and FT4.
High TSH means you need an increase in T4 med if your Ft3 and Ft4 levels are on the lower /mid end of the scale.

Many think a TSH of under 2.0 is the normal range.
It may be for some but not for everyone.
There are a few of us here who 'like' a TSH higher than 2.0 and live a better quality of life with it over 2.0.
Everyone is different ...no 2 persons are made the same.

[Eliza150]

Yes, the higher the number with TSH means you need more thyroid replacment. Since you have had RAI your TSI could be high which causes a suppressed TSH. The TSH is not a good test especially for post RAI patients. It can stay suppressed for quite some time. This is what I have learned from researching. I took RAI in 2004 for Graves disease.

Actually you really need the Ft4 and Ft3 test. I have learned a lot of Elaine Moore about RAI for Graves, because she took RAI for Graves disease.