underactive thyroid

[bezo30]

TSH of 16.5  whats this really mean ,taking 125 mcg levotyroxine

[Barb135]

Is TSH the only test they are doing each time?  You should request the Free T3 and Free T4, as well, so you can see what your actual hormone levels are. If  you have results for those, please post them, and include the reference ranges, since these vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.

TSH fluctuates greatly, even intraday, so if that's all your doctor is looking at, it's no wonder he's confused.

It takes approximately 4-6 weeks for the medication to build in your system, but it can take longer than that to alleviate symptoms.  Sounds like your doctor started you off low and has been working up slowly, which is the best way to do it.  

[bezo30]

been on 125 mcgs  for eight weeks now  but every time i have blood results  they increase my dosage .i had yet to attend  an  appointment to see an Endocronoligest

[bezo30]

had this a year now ,first started after an health check at forty ,started on  25 mcgs  of levothyroxine   now on 125 mcgs  but ive always had the symptoms of felling very very tired all the time, very perticular too hot and cold temps.being very sluggish.blood results have been up and down for a year now and the gp cant understand why so refering to an endocrinoligest

[gimel]

Please understand that TSH is a pituitary hormone that is supposed to accurately reflect the levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4; however, TSH cannot be shown to correlate well with either much less with hypo symptoms, which are most important.  With that said, your TSH is well above range and usually indicative of a patient still being hypo.

Are you having hypo symptoms?  If so, which ones are you noticing?