Newly diagnosed

jnalowd · 01-05-2007, 11:45 AM

I was just diagnosed with sub-clinical hypothyroidism. What is the usual dose for synthroid to effectively lower my TSH levels? I just started on 50 mg of synthroid today, but my friend who is hyperthyroid said that it may be too low. My TSH is only 5.532, but my RE wants it closer to 2 by the time we do IVF in March. I'm hoping that 50 mg will be effective. Has anyone had any success with that dosage or do you think it should be higher?

Thank you!

micheleinnewjersey · 01-05-2007, 12:20 PM

I have been hypo since '97 and started at 50mcg like you. Whether that is a good dosage varies from individual to individual. In some cases, the thyroid is stubborn and you will need a higher dose than another person. It really all depends on how much hormone your thyroid is producing on its own.

It is important to note that the lab results are only part of the story. You should continue to monitor and adjust your dosage based on your labs and how you feel. Some people feel better when their TSH is on the higher end of normal. Others need to have their TSH very surpressed in order to feel good and to eliminate the symptoms of Hypothyroid.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto in May and Thyroid Cancer in December (last month). I feel like I could write a book about Thyroid medication.

Good luck - hope you feel better soon! Happy New Year.

mommavia · 01-09-2007, 04:24 PM

To echo what michele said, the dose varies person to person. Thyroid meds are prescribed based on your labs and weight to start with, then adjusted from there. When I was diagnosed as hypo, my TSH levels were well over 100 and I was prescribed 25 mcg of Synthroid. That put my labs back to normal, but I still didn't feel right. At the time I didn't know that I could do something about it, and now am on 212 mcg of Synthroid and have no thyroid (many surgeries to rid of thyroid cancer). So keep at it until we feel perfect, and who knows, 50 may be the exact dose for you!

Cynthia