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Should Levothyroxine Be Prescribed While Having Subacute Thyroiditis?
Posted on
Fri, 31 Aug 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 31 Aug 2018
Answered on
Mon, 4 Sep 2023
Last reviewed on
Question : i have a question about subacute thyroiditis. after T4 and TSH have normalized then 2 months later TSH is 5.89 should Levothyroxine 75 mcg be prescribed?
Brief Answer:
About subacute thyroiditis and high TSH:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Subacute thyroiditis is often followed by hypothyroidism that may be transitory or permanent.
I usually suggest to my patients to start 50 mcg of levothyroxine if the hypothyroidism symptoms are present and keep monitoring TSH every 2 months, if there will be a tendency to be lower than normal, stop levothyroxine because the thyroid may have recovered.
You need to check also anti-TPO and anti-Tg antibodies to rule out Hashimoto thyroiditis that may have been present before subacute thyroiditis is installed. If they are high, it means that levothyroxine treatment will be long term.
Regards,
Dr. Mirjeta
About subacute thyroiditis and high TSH:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Subacute thyroiditis is often followed by hypothyroidism that may be transitory or permanent.
I usually suggest to my patients to start 50 mcg of levothyroxine if the hypothyroidism symptoms are present and keep monitoring TSH every 2 months, if there will be a tendency to be lower than normal, stop levothyroxine because the thyroid may have recovered.
You need to check also anti-TPO and anti-Tg antibodies to rule out Hashimoto thyroiditis that may have been present before subacute thyroiditis is installed. If they are high, it means that levothyroxine treatment will be long term.
Regards,
Dr. Mirjeta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
The antibodies have been checked and are not elevated. Also a small nodule was examined and showed no abnormalities. I am concerned that the medication with TSH so low - 5.89 - is unnecessary especially since it was in the normal range mid-May at 4.60. I’m concerned that taking the meds for 6 months may suppress my body’s Natural hormonal levels.
Brief Answer:
About hypothyroidism caused by subacute thyroiditis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If the antibodies are negative, than it may be a transitory hypothyroidism caused by subacute thyroiditis.
If you do not have symptoms of hypothyroidism (feeling sleepy, weight gain, feeling cold etc.) you may keep monitoring TSH every 2 months and start treatment if there will be a tendency to get higher.
Regards,
Dr. Mirjeta
About hypothyroidism caused by subacute thyroiditis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If the antibodies are negative, than it may be a transitory hypothyroidism caused by subacute thyroiditis.
If you do not have symptoms of hypothyroidism (feeling sleepy, weight gain, feeling cold etc.) you may keep monitoring TSH every 2 months and start treatment if there will be a tendency to get higher.
Regards,
Dr. Mirjeta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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