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943081 tn?1245435101

questions about TSH levels

I was recently diagnosed as hypothyroid and was put on a low dose of levothyroxine.  At that time my TSH was 7.37, which was about 3 weeks ago.  About two weeks after taking it I had an ultrasound done which showed a nodule and my doc took me off the medication for 6 weeks to have a nuclear scan done and ordered some lab work.  My TSH level- after being off the meds for about a week- have now rised to 14.27.  I contstantly feel like **** and am staying so sleepy.  I keep having a lot of 'twitches' in my legs and arms.  Is this from the TSH level?  Is it going to keep climbing like that for the next 4 weeks?   Is there anything I can do to keep from feeling so crappy?  Any information you have is greatly appreciated! :)
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Avatar universal
A friend of mine just had a scan, and they were waiting for her TSH to get up to 30 before they'd do it.  I've never had one myself, so don't know the routine.

Sorry you have to get so hypo before the scan.  Take it easy on yourself as best you can.
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943081 tn?1245435101
they can't move the scan up- apparently, I have to be meds free for 6 weeks before they can do the nuclear scan to see if it is cancerous ? I think.  I still have 4 weeks to go... yuck.  and I was just starting to feel better too..
They aren't looking for anything with my TSH- just wanted the numbers as I had other blood work done as well  while waiting on the nuclear scan.
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Avatar universal
Technically, TSH does not in any way affect how you feel.  However, a high TSH usually indicates that your thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, are low, and you are therefore hypothyroid.  It's the low T3 and T4 that make you feel bad, not the TSH.

You are not feeling well because you are hypothyroid.

Yes, you will become more and more hypo as the next four weeks goes on.

I'm afraid there isn't a whole lot that helps when you're hypo.  Be good to yourself...nap, try to get as much rest as you can, baths...pamper yourself as much as you can.  

Can they move the scan up?  Do you know what they want the TSH to be before doing the scan?  It might not take the full four weeks to get there.  You could ask your doctor what the target TSH is and if you can have it tested before the full four weeks is up.
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