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What Causes TSH Value Of 134 While On Eltroxin?
Question: I have hypothyroidism. and I am on a 100 Mcg Eltroxin for the last 5 years.
When detected I had a TSH of 134.
All reports in the last 5 years have come with the TSH in control but my dosage has not changed. is this a cause for worry. I thought the medication should reduce over time.
When detected I had a TSH of 134.
All reports in the last 5 years have come with the TSH in control but my dosage has not changed. is this a cause for worry. I thought the medication should reduce over time.
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
No it is not as if the dose of Eltroxin should necessarily reduce over time.
This is one of the most common misconceptions I deal with in my practice.
The only situation in which this occurs is if there is significant weight loss. This is so because the dose of eltroxin is based upon body weight, amongst other things.
It is good you recall your baseline TSH to start with. It was quite high and gives us 100% certainty in knowing that your thyroid gland is not working at all.
When I see someone like you in my practice who comes to me with such an elevated TSH, I prescribe levo-thytoxine (and eltroxin is one such brand of levo thyroxine)based on body weight to start with. The general rule is 1.6 multiplied by body weight in kilograms.
This is a reasonable starting point and then I check TSH and Free T4 in 6 weeks to see the TSH is at goal.
Some dose adjustments may be necessary in the first several months but one can arrive at a steady and stable dose requirement within the first year.
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
No it is not as if the dose of Eltroxin should necessarily reduce over time.
This is one of the most common misconceptions I deal with in my practice.
The only situation in which this occurs is if there is significant weight loss. This is so because the dose of eltroxin is based upon body weight, amongst other things.
It is good you recall your baseline TSH to start with. It was quite high and gives us 100% certainty in knowing that your thyroid gland is not working at all.
When I see someone like you in my practice who comes to me with such an elevated TSH, I prescribe levo-thytoxine (and eltroxin is one such brand of levo thyroxine)based on body weight to start with. The general rule is 1.6 multiplied by body weight in kilograms.
This is a reasonable starting point and then I check TSH and Free T4 in 6 weeks to see the TSH is at goal.
Some dose adjustments may be necessary in the first several months but one can arrive at a steady and stable dose requirement within the first year.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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