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What Does A TSH Level Of 0.12 Indicate?
Question: My Dr. tested my Thyroid My TSH came back 0.12 he put me on Levothyroxine 0.088mg I am a 68 yr old woman been on Levothyroxine for yrs mostly 88mcg just went from 100 mcg to 88mcg Tsh was 0.12 my question is is 0.12 low? dr. put me on 100mcg when my T3 was 2.3 and my TSH was 3.3 09/29/2015 then 5/24/2016 it was 0.12 went to 88mcg
Brief Answer:
This dose change seems appropriate.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Yes, a TSH of 0.12 is too low. Many labs use a lower number reference range of 0.3 mIU/L. So if your TSH is too low, that means you are getting too much thyroxine. And if you are taking thyroxine in the form of Levothyroxine, then that medication needs to be lowered. It is recommended to adjust thyroxine dosing by 12. 5 - 25 mcg at a time. So it is appropriate that your doctor lowered your medicine from 100 mcg to 88 mcg to adjust that you were getting a bit too much thyroxine, which was lowering your TSH.
After adjusting the dosage, I like to recheck a thyroid panel in about 3 months as it takes 2-3 months for the body to readjust to the hormone level change.
I know it is a bit confusing. Does that make sense? If not, I'll go into more detail about the relationship of TSH and thyroxine.
This dose change seems appropriate.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Yes, a TSH of 0.12 is too low. Many labs use a lower number reference range of 0.3 mIU/L. So if your TSH is too low, that means you are getting too much thyroxine. And if you are taking thyroxine in the form of Levothyroxine, then that medication needs to be lowered. It is recommended to adjust thyroxine dosing by 12. 5 - 25 mcg at a time. So it is appropriate that your doctor lowered your medicine from 100 mcg to 88 mcg to adjust that you were getting a bit too much thyroxine, which was lowering your TSH.
After adjusting the dosage, I like to recheck a thyroid panel in about 3 months as it takes 2-3 months for the body to readjust to the hormone level change.
I know it is a bit confusing. Does that make sense? If not, I'll go into more detail about the relationship of TSH and thyroxine.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I understand . Thank you Would that be the cause of my ribs hurting? and when we get my thyroid levels back then my ribs will stop hurting ? the ribs hurting comes and goes.
Brief Answer:
I don't think rib area pain would be from excessive thyroxine.
Detailed Answer:
A hyperthyroid state can cause muscle weakness and tremors, but I have not ever read of any correlation of hyperthyroidism and rib pain.
When people have chest area pain, it can be in the muscles and ligaments between the ribs, or heart burn from acid reflux, or bone pain if there is an underlying problem that is affecting the bones, or heart related pain. Without seeing you, it is hard to sort out, but I would pursue the problem with your doctor who can examine you.
I don't think rib area pain would be from excessive thyroxine.
Detailed Answer:
A hyperthyroid state can cause muscle weakness and tremors, but I have not ever read of any correlation of hyperthyroidism and rib pain.
When people have chest area pain, it can be in the muscles and ligaments between the ribs, or heart burn from acid reflux, or bone pain if there is an underlying problem that is affecting the bones, or heart related pain. Without seeing you, it is hard to sort out, but I would pursue the problem with your doctor who can examine you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Understand. Can hyperthyroid cause digestive problems and bone density problems? Yes I will pursue this with Dr. thanks
Brief Answer:
Bone density loss is possible; not sure about the digestive symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Autoimmune hyperthyroidism can be associated with digestive problems including upset stomach, fat malabsorption, and Celiac disease. It does not cause Celiac disease, but the two occur together more often than is average.
But you don't have autoimmune causes of hyperthyroidism. Yours is (temporarily) caused by medication. I tried to look up information on this, but was unable to find adequate information. That doesn't mean the information isn't out there. I just couldn't find it. For this question, I suggest you post that question and at the beginning of the first line write "FOR ENDOCRINOLOGIST ONLY". The moderator will tag it for an endocrinologist and you should hear back tonight or tomorrow with information.
But I can answer the second question: There can be increased bone density loss from either overt hyperthyroidism or excessive doses of thyroid hormone.
I hope this information helps.
Bone density loss is possible; not sure about the digestive symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Autoimmune hyperthyroidism can be associated with digestive problems including upset stomach, fat malabsorption, and Celiac disease. It does not cause Celiac disease, but the two occur together more often than is average.
But you don't have autoimmune causes of hyperthyroidism. Yours is (temporarily) caused by medication. I tried to look up information on this, but was unable to find adequate information. That doesn't mean the information isn't out there. I just couldn't find it. For this question, I suggest you post that question and at the beginning of the first line write "FOR ENDOCRINOLOGIST ONLY". The moderator will tag it for an endocrinologist and you should hear back tonight or tomorrow with information.
But I can answer the second question: There can be increased bone density loss from either overt hyperthyroidism or excessive doses of thyroid hormone.
I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
For Endocrinologist only. Can hyperthyroid cause bone density loss and digestive problems?
Brief Answer:
Sorry - I should have explained better:
Detailed Answer:
Oh - you got me again because this chain is still open. You'll have to repost it as a new question. And best to write "FOR ENDOCRINOLOGIST ONLY" in caps so that the moderator notices it.
Sorry - I should have explained better:
Detailed Answer:
Oh - you got me again because this chain is still open. You'll have to repost it as a new question. And best to write "FOR ENDOCRINOLOGIST ONLY" in caps so that the moderator notices it.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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