I had my thyroid removed 10 years ago. My blood test just came back and it showed my thyroid levels are low, so my doctor just decreased my levothroid from .137 to .125. Is this correct??? Shouldn't my levothroid be increased rather than decreased?
Thyroid levels low, so doctor DECREASES my levothroid?
Question posted by somegirrl on 5 Jan 2010
Last updated on 27 October 2021 by Beesmartlearning
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4 Answers
Beesmartlearning
27 Oct 2021
If you have NO THYROID there is no hormone secretion at all. The TSH is stimulated in the brain to regulate (increase or decrease) the thyroid secretion of T3 and T4.. specifically T4 because T4 is supposed to convert to T3 when the body needs it (but many people do not convert T4 to T3 as needed),,, or at least this happens with. the drug levothyroxine (T4) sometimes will not convert to T3... the reason for medication reduction is that too much medication is in the blood stream (T4). the brain detects too much T4.. then brain haults the production of TSH ( which stimulates thyroid) hormone into blood stream... Which stops the thyroid from producing T3/T4... but since you have no thyroid and you are taking meds outside body secretion, you need to reduce T3/T4 medication,, I’m a registered nurse and I also had thyroid cancer and have no thyroid so I Very well understand the mechanisms of actions.
I can not for the life of me figure out why medical staff cannot explain this to patients! All they have to say is all three labs,, TSH HIGH and T3/T4 low. Or. TSH LOW and T3/T4 too high... since you’re taking T3/T4 and you don’t take TSH (pill) then it would be very clear,, the brain talks to thyroid brought chemical messenger (TSH) and the thyroid talks back through chemical messengers(T3/T4),,, since there is no thyroid it’s through labs and medication adjustments.. TSH stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone.. hormone that talks to thyroid (stimulates it) and says. Make more T3T4. (Opposites occur in reverse)... homeostasis,, like your thermostat talking to heater to turn on/off to keep home at 76 degrees
Lee Dennis
16 July 2017
I still have my thyroid and the same thing happened to me. Mine was high and they raised it and when I got home, I called my doctor back and questioned his nurse. She said it is crazy but you do just the opposite of what you would think. It has something to do with your T3 and T4.
caro10
3 March 2010
GPs usually do a TSH which is thyroid stimulating hormone. If it is high in your blood it means your thyroid medication is too low and If it is low or absent it means your thyroid medication is too high. It is the hormone that stimulates your thyroid to produce more or less thyroid as needed.
The receptionist will read the test and tell you your TSH is low, which means your thyroid medication is really too high. It does get confusing. Thyroid hormone readings are T-3 and T-4. My doctor doesn't do them. He just goes by the TSH readings. Even without a thyroid gland your system produces TSH.
Keribusicnki
9 Sep 2016
Not necessarily. My TSH is low because I'm on armour which is a pituitary suppressant. They dose me based off of my TSH and my Free t4 and free t3 are both below range. This is not right.
barbles2413
6 Jan 2010
This is always a tricky question Your thyroid level came back too low because you are being over stimulated with synthetic thyroid hormone therefore the doctor needs to give you a lesser dose and recheck it in 6 - 8 weeks. I am not a doctor or a medical professional but I have a underactive thyroid and I believe this is the formula I also know with me they go by my free T4 Hope this helps
Related topics
levothroid, thyroid disease, blood disorders
Further information
- Levothroid uses and safety info
- Levothroid prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Levothroid (detailed)
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