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Diagnoised With Hypothyroidism, Prescribed Thyronorm. Has Gained Weight And TSH Level Not Coming Down. Suggest?
Posted on
Thu, 11 Jul 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 11 Jul 2013
Answered on
Sat, 27 Jul 2013
Last reviewed on
Question : Doctor my wife is 32 yrs old , diagnoised with hypothyroidism , The first test TSH was 7.7 in Dec/12. she was prescribed Thyronorm 25mcg 2Tabs/daily , after that the TSH was was 5.54 in Feb/13 , TSH was 9.42 in May/13 , and TSH was 12.29 in Jul/13 , she has gained 5kg wt , but she has started doing exercise and avoiding foods like cabbage soya etc , why is the TSH value going up instead of coming down , i mean should she increase her dosage or are there any other medications which can help pls advise
Hi
Thanks for posting your query on XXXXXXX
After reading your query, I feel that her hypothyroidism is worsening.
My advise is as follows:
1. Your wife is taking a low dose of Thyronorm. She needs to increase her dose for now. Please consult a physician before you make changes in her dosage. It usually takes upto 8 weeks for TSH to become normal again. Free T 4 is the earliest hormone to become normal. So she will need to take it one step at a time. Increase the dose now and check again for TSH values in 1 - 2 months. She needs to titrate the dose upwards until she gets a normal TSH and fT4 values. If she does not get better with higher doses of thyronorm, then she may need to add Triiodothyronine (T3) to her regimen, again after consultation with a physician.
2. She should also get detailed thyroid profile done. She should be evaluated for a cause of hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency is by far the most common cause of hypothyroidism. She may add iodinized salt to her diet. We can also get tested for TPO-ab to assess if she has autoimmune hypothyroidism. She may also get an ultrasound of thyroid gland to check for any nodules.
3. Exercise will be needed to keep her weight in control and also to boost her immunity. She also needs to take more of fruits. Take hygienic food and pure water. Drink lots of water.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Thanks for posting your query on XXXXXXX
After reading your query, I feel that her hypothyroidism is worsening.
My advise is as follows:
1. Your wife is taking a low dose of Thyronorm. She needs to increase her dose for now. Please consult a physician before you make changes in her dosage. It usually takes upto 8 weeks for TSH to become normal again. Free T 4 is the earliest hormone to become normal. So she will need to take it one step at a time. Increase the dose now and check again for TSH values in 1 - 2 months. She needs to titrate the dose upwards until she gets a normal TSH and fT4 values. If she does not get better with higher doses of thyronorm, then she may need to add Triiodothyronine (T3) to her regimen, again after consultation with a physician.
2. She should also get detailed thyroid profile done. She should be evaluated for a cause of hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency is by far the most common cause of hypothyroidism. She may add iodinized salt to her diet. We can also get tested for TPO-ab to assess if she has autoimmune hypothyroidism. She may also get an ultrasound of thyroid gland to check for any nodules.
3. Exercise will be needed to keep her weight in control and also to boost her immunity. She also needs to take more of fruits. Take hygienic food and pure water. Drink lots of water.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Doctor for your very detailed reply , i will get the additional tests like "Ultrasound of thyroid gland , TPO-ab test done , but pls let me know what tests are there in detailed Thyroid profile , i have the last Three T3, T4 and TSH Results and in That the T3 was 107 , and T4 was 6.2 , Pls let me know what other tests are in detailed thyriod profile , i will do all these tests and follow up with her physician and also discuss your reply about increasing the medication
Hi again
Her T3 and T4 levels are in normal range. I will also like to see her free T4 values. Her deteriorating TSH values mean that the body reserves for thyroid hormones are depleting and increasing the dose of thyronorm should help.
Dr Vaishalee
Her T3 and T4 levels are in normal range. I will also like to see her free T4 values. Her deteriorating TSH values mean that the body reserves for thyroid hormones are depleting and increasing the dose of thyronorm should help.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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