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Is TSH Level Of 11 A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Mon, 20 Jun 2016

Question: Hi, last week I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, my TSH level was 11. I was given 25 mcg Eltroxin per day. When should I start to see an improvement in my symptoms?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
In a few weeks

Detailed Answer:
It takes 4 to 6 weeks for the medicine to build up in the body and become steady. Your doctor will likely recheck your levels at that point in time to see if the target TSH levels have been achieved. If not, (s)he will adjust the dose accordingly.

You should start feeling some improvement with a week or two.

When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your 3 month glucose average)
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH
Free T4
Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D

None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (6 minutes later)

Does eltroxin definitely work, will I be able to lead a normal life?
Can you please reply to my other questions?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Yes. Eltroxin typically normalizes the thyroid hormone levels in the blood and body, provided correct doses are prescribed. Endocrinologists are thyroid experts and generally succeed in getting patient's thyroid laboratory results at goal within few months

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (6 minutes later)

Will I be able to work and play sport as normal?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Second follow up

Detailed Answer:
Yes indeed. Yours is not a severely abnormal level at the moment. And once the TSH , Free T4 targets have been attained you are essentially normalized as far as the thyroid is concerned

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (6 hours later)

Do you think 25 mcg is strong enough? I dont feel any better after one week of taking them?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Third follow up

Detailed Answer:
25 mcg is a fair starting point. Whether it is adequate or not will be known only after the next blood test, whenever that is scheduled by your doctor. I typically repeat it after 6 weeks

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar