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Can Levothyroxine At Lower Doses Increase The Thyroid Hormone?
Question: I suffer from slight hypothyroidism due to a partial thyroidectomy 50 years ago because of hyperthyroidism. I take levothyroxine (100mcg daily). My question is this: I have been told that a lower dose of levothyroxine produces a higher level of thyroid hormone. Is this accurate? It seems illogical.
Brief Answer:
About high TSH;
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
Your concern is right but the explanation that is given to you is wrong.
TSH ( thyroid stimulating hormone) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (Ft4 and Ft3) .
If the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones ( for many reasons; thyroidectomy, Hashimoto thyroiditis etc), pituitary gland produces more TSH to stimulate it.
That is why in under active thyroid diseases ( or in lower doses of levothyroxine that is thyroid hormone) TSH is high.
Hope the information will help.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta
About high TSH;
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
Your concern is right but the explanation that is given to you is wrong.
TSH ( thyroid stimulating hormone) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (Ft4 and Ft3) .
If the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones ( for many reasons; thyroidectomy, Hashimoto thyroiditis etc), pituitary gland produces more TSH to stimulate it.
That is why in under active thyroid diseases ( or in lower doses of levothyroxine that is thyroid hormone) TSH is high.
Hope the information will help.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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