TSH Levels

[richeygirl139]

My TSH level is 11.68, and I feel like a zombie most of the time. My doctor first put me on Levothyroxin 100MCG. That was 4 weeks ago. For the past 4 weeks I was extremely sick from the medication. Today he switched me to Armour 60MG. I sure hope that this medication works and I will be able to take it. My question is how can this level be so high and when will I start feeling better?

[Barb135]

It sounds like you are over medicated.  You should try to drop back to a smaller dosage for a while, then increase slowly.  

Try to get antibody tests, to determine whether or not you have Hashimoto's.
You might also want to get vitamin B1 levels tested.  Deficiency can cause debilitating fatigue.

[richeygirl139]

Thank you so much for the reply and I will make sure I get more information the next time I get my blood drawn.

[richeygirl139]

Thank you so much for the reply, I don't know what the T2 and T4 is but will find out the next time I go. By sick I mean, sick to my stomach all the time and diarrhea. I did not get another blood test before switching to Armour. I had taken the armour for the last week but have been sicker on that. I've had itching, swelling of the jaw and neck, sick to my stomach, diarrhea, headache's and excessive sweating but also very cold.  I called the doctor again today and they have taken me off the armour and told not to take anything for now. I'm supposed to get a blood test again the middle of March to see what my levels are at that time. I will make sure I get the Free T3 and T4 at that time. Still tired all the time and my body just aches. Just don't know what to do if I can't take any of the medicine.

[Barb135]

Second thought -- maybe the 100 mcg levo was too high to start with... it's best to start at a very low dosage and let your body adjust to having the hormones again, then retesting (make sure you get the FT3 and FT4) and increasing dosage in small increments......

[Barb135]

Your TSH level is high, but not "so high"; my initial TSH was 55+.  Sally is right - you need the Free T3 and Free T4 in order to find out what's really going on....

You should also ask to get tested for thyroid antibodies to determine whether or not you have an autoimmune thyroid disease.

[Super_sally888]

Hello,

did your doctor test again before switching you to Armour?  

What do you mean 'extremely sick"?

IF you have test results, please post (including the reference ranges).

He should be testing TSH, FT3 and FT4.  FT3 and 4 are actually more important than TSH to adjusting your levels.  

It can take some weeks / months to feel better.