Suggest Dosage Of Synthroid For A 70 Year Old
 
                                    
                                    
                                                
                                                Mon, 14 Sep 2015
                                                
                                            
                                                Answered on
                                             
                                            
                                                
                                                Mon, 12 Oct 2015
                                                
                                                
                                                Last reviewed on
                                             
                                            Variable cut off of TSH in above 70 age agroup.
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
Thank you for providing a detailed history which was very helpful.
I agree that, in most patients with hypothyroidism, doctors would like to keep TSH between 2-3. However, it is a well known fact that, this may not hold good for people above 70 years.
It has been now accepted that, normal level of TSH for a 70 year old ( with out hypothyroidism) is around 5 to 6. This is because, when one gets aged, body tries to slow down the metabolism to protect the cells from overworking. This increases the longevity. This has been discussed in few articles published by " Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism" ( JCEM) couple of years back.
Hence I can totally understand your argument about feeling good on a TSH between 6 to 8. If you feel good on it, please stick to a dose of synthroid which keep your TSH around 6.
Regards
Binu
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