Aa
thyroid
My tsh is 4.53 and myT4 is 5.1. My dr put me on 100mcg of levothyroxine. Does this sound right?
What prompted your doctor to test TSH and T4? Were you complaining of fatigue/sleepiness, constipation, weight gain, brain fog, low BP or HR, depression, etc?
Total T4 is considered an obsolete test. Your doctor should order FREE T4 (FT4). That being said, your T4 is on the low side, and your TSH is slightly elevated, both of which could indicate that you are a little hypo. Your doctor should also test FT3, which is the test that correlates best with symptoms.
As you know, we are not doctors, just fellow patients. Your doctor has examined you and has more information than is available here. So, I suggest that you do your own research and discuss your findings with your doctor.
That being said once again, no, I don't agree that 100 mcg levo is an appropriate treatment. I suggest you go to Synthroid's website and read the dosing instructions. Read past the "standard recommendations" and you will find that if you are over 50 OR if you've been hypo for longer than a few months OR if you have a history of a heart arrhythmia, the starting dose should be 12.5-25 mcg, increasing as tolerated and if necessary. 100 mcg as a starting dose is much more than many younger people can tolerate.
Whether or not you end up taking levo, I think you should seriously question your doctor regarding starting so high. Typically, it's best to start out at a low dose, retest after about 4 weeks and reevaluate symptoms to see if a meds adjustment is in order. Adjustments are usually made on the order of 12.5-25 mcg at a time.
Total T4 is considered an obsolete test. Your doctor should order FREE T4 (FT4). That being said, your T4 is on the low side, and your TSH is slightly elevated, both of which could indicate that you are a little hypo. Your doctor should also test FT3, which is the test that correlates best with symptoms.
As you know, we are not doctors, just fellow patients. Your doctor has examined you and has more information than is available here. So, I suggest that you do your own research and discuss your findings with your doctor.
That being said once again, no, I don't agree that 100 mcg levo is an appropriate treatment. I suggest you go to Synthroid's website and read the dosing instructions. Read past the "standard recommendations" and you will find that if you are over 50 OR if you've been hypo for longer than a few months OR if you have a history of a heart arrhythmia, the starting dose should be 12.5-25 mcg, increasing as tolerated and if necessary. 100 mcg as a starting dose is much more than many younger people can tolerate.
Whether or not you end up taking levo, I think you should seriously question your doctor regarding starting so high. Typically, it's best to start out at a low dose, retest after about 4 weeks and reevaluate symptoms to see if a meds adjustment is in order. Adjustments are usually made on the order of 12.5-25 mcg at a time.
Normal range on test is 4.50-11.70. Test is T4. I am 69 yrs old. I had no symptoms that I was aware of.
What's the reference ("normal") range on your T4? Ranges vary lab to lab, so they have to come from your own lab report. Also, is that a FREE T4? If FREE or "FT4" isn't specified, then it's a total T4.
How old are you? Do you have hypo symptoms? If so, thinking back to the onset of symptoms, how long do you think you've been hypo? Do you have any other health issues that you know of?
How old are you? Do you have hypo symptoms? If so, thinking back to the onset of symptoms, how long do you think you've been hypo? Do you have any other health issues that you know of?
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