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TSH 40! Hypothyroidism Newbie. Any info appreicated.

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Posted 8/17/2013 12:52 AM (GMT 0)

My TSH is 40. Not 4.0 but 40. My dr called in levothyroxine .25 mcg. which I will start taking in the morning. I recently started Hormone Replacement Therapy (by another dr) but am using the Bio Identical HRT Cream - Bi Est/Progesterone .5/20. My T3 T4 etc was not tested. Only TSH. I also read about Armour but know very little about this. Any info would greatly be appreicated. Thanks. (PS) I'm wondering if it would be better to use the same dr for all these things since they kinda go hand in hand. Just rambling. I'll call my pharmacy tomorrow to make sure there are no interactions w/the BioIdentical HRT and Levothyroxine.

Post Edited (hypothyroidism) : 8/16/2013 8:32:20 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/17/2013 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
For an accurate diagnosis you should have free T4/T3 plus antibody tests. This will determine whether yours is an autoimmune condition, as those are often more touchy to get dosage right on. I would recommend seeing an endocrinologist, at least until you have been fully diagnosed and are stable on medication.

It usually takes about six weeks for levothyroxine to become fully effective, and you should be followed at least every three months until you have stabilized on a dose. This can take a couple of years, although as your dosage goes up you will begin feeling better much sooner than that. Don't count on too much effect from your initial dose; they usually start very low to be sure you are going to tolerate the medication.

Armour is made from dessicated pork thyroid. For some people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (the autoimmune type of hypo), it is more effective than levothyroxine. It's standard to try the levothyroxine first as it is less expensive and the supply is more constant.

You might want to peruse the Thyroid Basics discussion on this board to help your general knowledge of the thyroid and how it works (or doesn't, for some of us.)

Keep us posted, and good luck to you.
Posted 8/17/2013 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Judy2 Forum Moderator,

Thank you so very much for the info.  I'm a newbie to Hypothyroidism and will look into all you suggested. I will mention checking antibodies, t3, t4 when I see my dr on Monday. I also wondered about seeing an endocrinologist and appreciate you mentioning that.  It seems like a very good idea. I had my TSH blood work 2 mo. ago  (June) and it was 2.49 w/o Levothyroxine. However, in March 2013 my TSH was 11.74 which almost doubled from 6.05 which was taken in Jan 2013. The same dr put me on levothyroxine 50 mcg during that time and my TSH levels come down w/in normal ranges. B/c it was doing well, I quit the levothyroxine but my TSH was still normal, so my dr and I decided to not take the med and get my TSH re tested in 2 mo to see how it goes. That's when it went from 2.49 in June 2013 to 40 in Aug 2013. Two days ago to be exact is last time it was retested. So, she called in the same med but changed the dose to a lesser amt, .25 mcg vs .50 mcg. I'm wondering if the Bio-Identical HRT could have caused it to go from normal to 40 b/c that 's about the same time this all seemed to happen. I started the Bio Identical HRT 2 mo. ago.  ALthough, we do a lot of juicing and from my research there's certain veggies that can rasie TSH levels but i've not been juicing those. I've also learned Soy is a NO NO!!  Thanks again for your reply and I'll check out your suggestions. Very much appreciated! I've got a lot to learn. I'm open to any other suggestions or any additional info from others as well.  
 
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Posted 8/17/2013 8:36 AM (GMT 0)

Somebody said...
B/c it was doing well, I quit the levothyroxine but my TSH was still normal, so my dr and I decided to not take the med and get my TSH re tested in 2 mo to see how it goes




In general once you are on levo, you are on it for life, you were doing well because you took the medication, and stopping it will bring back your symptoms.
Posted 8/17/2013 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
I have a question about a high TSH. I've had joint pain and noticed my joints are stiff. Espeically my fingers. They swell and hurt while I'm sleeping and are tight and hard to use in the mornings. Is this b/c of my high TSH and will this get better when it comes down? Thanks.
Posted 8/17/2013 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Joint pain is a typical hypothyroidism symptom.

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/10signs.htm
Posted 8/25/2013 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all - I am writing today in regards to my mother who has hypothyroidism. Her TSH level was a 9 after her last blood test. The doctor was somewhat alarmed, and my mother said that she cannot increase her thyroid medication because it gives her heart palpitations. She has A-fib, and if she takes the dose her doctor wants, she gets worse palpitations. He is going to re-test in 3 months, to see if the level comes down on its own. What can he do if the level does not come down on its own? She has a pace maker too, and it works 91% of the time to regulate my mother's heart.
Posted 8/26/2013 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Your mother needs to take this up with her cardiologist; sometimes two conditions need exactly opposite treatment and the doctors need to change her regimen carefully.
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