What Dosage Of Syntroid Is Recommended For High TSH Levels?

Posted on Thu, 17 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 Answered on

Tue, 6 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : syntroid dosage my blood test Tsh 1.450 and the T4 is 1.51.........what dosage of syntroid is recommended I am 76

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer: synthroid starting dose 12.5 to 25 Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Synthroid is one form of thyroid hormone replacement therapy and is used for persons with low levels of thyroid hormones ( T4 and/ T3). When these hormones are low, TSH , which is released in the brain, is high. So in hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)- T4 and T3 low, TSH high Your TSH level is within normal range. The range can vary from one lab to the other, the general range is a lower limit of 0.3- 0.4 mIU/L and the upper limit of 4.0-5.5 mIU/L. T4 can either be free T4 or total T4. Free t 4 range is 0.8- 1.8 ng/l or if different units are used the range is 10-23 pmol/l Free T4 is more commonly measured than total T4, so will assume your values relate to free t4. The most common range is 0.8 to 1.8- according to this, your value of 1.51 would be in the normal range. If your values had indicated that your thyroid hormone levels were low, the normal starting dose of synthroid would be 25 to 50 mcg a day. After 6 weeks your doctor would have repeated levels to see if the medication needed increasing . If they needed to go up, would increase by 12.5 mcg to 25 mcg. Would initially continue checking every 6 to 8 weeks. Summary: according to guidelines , your results are in the normal range unless the lab used has different ranges. Starting dose would be 25 mcg to 50 mcg. This is the starting dose range for mild cases. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (23 minutes later)

I have taken 75mcg for several years so obviously my dosage is under control my lab sheet reads THS: UIU/mL 0.450-4. 500 T4,Free (direct): ng/dL 0.82 -1.77 and the # quoted in my 1st question..which were 1.450 for the first and 1.51 for the 2nd.........And of course all that means nothing to me........

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer: within normal range Detailed Answer: HI The TSH 0.4 to 4.5 is the normal range for TSH in the lab that was used, your value falls within that range. Your result was 1.45 The T4 free (direct) of 0.82 to 1.77 is the normal range for T4 for that lab- your T4 value is within this range. Your result was 1.51 This means that the dose you are currently using is maintaining your thyroid hormone within normal range. Summary: your results are within your lab's ranges This means your dose is adequate Please feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar