What Does This Thyroid Profile Test Report Indicate?
Attached are my thyroid reports conducted almost a month apart this year. The initial report mentioned a level of 29.31 for TSH while the one conducted a month later mentions it as 17.16. A general physician has told me to start THYRONORM (50 mcg) for 3 months before I conduct a test 3 months later and get back to him.
Could you please let me know if this is a serious problem and what remedies can I take to cure it ? Is this something which will stay with me lifelong ? Any specific diet do's/don'ts ?
My height is 5'7 and weight is 66 kgs. I exercise regularly in the morning and have no symptoms of hypo/hyper thyroidism whatsoever. It will be great if you check the 2 reports and give your valuable advice ! Thanks.
case of primary hypothyroidism
Detailed Answer:
dear Mr. XXXXXXX hi I am Dr. Minal , welcome to HCM.
Mr. XXXXXXX as both your reports clearly indicate that you are a case of primary hypothyroidism.
now as you are worried, few things
1. it is an autoimmune condition,.
2. likely to stay life long
3. it is not alarming or dangerous or life threatening.
4. it is not diet related but still avoid food that makes you gain weight as the disease itself will make you put on some weight, if not treated properly.
5. there is no cure but life long care. timely medicine, timely investigations, and timely follow up.
6. as of the dose, 50 mcg is less for someone with weight of 66 kg. according to me you should have been on 75 mcg everyday.
regards!
I have a follow up question -
1. I have maintained a constant weight around 66-68 since the last 5 years or so, I do not exhibit any symptoms that I read for hypothyroidism. I will surely continue the medication as advised by the doctor, but in spite of this, do you think this can grow into something serious in the future ?
2. If medication can bring back the TSH levels to a desired level (assume), then can the medication be stopped or is it like continue the medication to ensure TSH levels do not shoot ? I am concerned about the "life-long" term used by you :).
nothing alarming!
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir, hi, sorry for the delayed response. I was stuck with heavy OPD.
two things as you have asked:
1. please continue, rather increase the dose as i have advised. thyroid dysfunction if taken proper care, do not grow into anything major. they only deteriorate your quality of life, if not maintained well.
2. once we achieve our target, we still continue the medication. As you have rightly said, if you discontinue or reduce the medicine TSH will shoot up again.
as of the term "LIFE LONG" i m sorry if that was alarming to you, but may be i could not think of a softer term to convey that thyroxine will be needed over a long period , even when you have achieved a normal balance.
reason being, thyroxine is not repairing your own thyroid gland to start producing thyroxine, it is only replacing the dose which should have come from within.
as of side effects, thyroxine being a natural hormone which is anyways produced by human body, but is not being sufficiently made by your gland, is not having much side effects. effects of not treating you are worse than those of side effects of the medicine.
i hope my conversation is convincing.
regards!
most welcome
Detailed Answer:
Sure Mr. XXXXXXX anytime!