Newly Diagnosed~ ;(

[tagblg]

Hi! I Just recently started seeing an Endo doc for what I thought might be pre-diabetes/hypoglcemia. Well after running tests Endo doc say no go to the diabetes. My doc called me today and told me she would like to start me on 75 mcg of levothyroxine. My test level was

TSH~4.6698 0.45-5.0
Free T4~1.07 0.71-1.85

Questions??

Is this a high starting dose?

Are these levels high/low?

I have had numerous of the symptoms when I looked up Hypothyroidism for many years. Thanks so much for any advice!http://www.thyroidboards.com/images/smilies/sad0049.gif

[northernlite]

75 mcg is not a particularly high starting dose but in my experience as one person, I think I would prefer to start at 50 mcg. You don't say if you are male or female or what your weight is but I am a smaller female and I started at 50 mcg and had one increase to 62.5 mcg. 75 mcg would push me over to the hyper range but everyone responds differently to the medication. I think the average dose of levothyroxine for me based on my weight would be over 100 mcg so that is why 75 mcg is not an unreasonable starting point. I like the start low and work up gradually approach, especially where your numbers are to start.

Your number do look hypo, many people would not feel well with the TSH where yours is. Many labs (including mine) have lowered the upper number to 3.0 which you are well over. Your FT4 is below the mid point and most of us shoot for over the midpoint of the range. I think you would really benefit from the levothyroxine.

If you start at 75 mcg just be aware of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism and contact your doctor for a decrease if you experience them.