Question:
what strength of synthroid should I be on??

I have HYPOthyroidism..also..had my labs done four weeks ago TSH was 16.9..my primary Dr boosted my synthroid up to .112 twice daily..I have labs drawn again on Thursday..I am so scared mt levels will not be down enough for surgery..do you think I am on strong enough meds???...worried in Michigan..Bev    — Bev Bucklin (posted on February 3, 2009)

February 3, 2009
HI BEV I HAVE THYROID ISSUES AS WELL I HAD MY THYROID REMOVED A YEAR AGO DUE TO A GOITOR THE SIZE OF AN ORANGE. I HAVE TO TAKE SYNTHROID FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. MINE WAS UNDERACTIVE BUT I WAS NEVER TOLD THE LEVEL WOULD AFFECT ME HAVING SURGERY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I AM INTERSTED IN SEEING THE ANSWERS YOU GET BACK. I AM PRAYING FOR YOU. MY SURGERY IS THE 27TH. KEEP ME POSTED
   — specialk219

February 3, 2009
Sorry to say that there is no way to know HOW much medication you should be on without having the blood work done. Unfortunately, the process is one of trial and error in most cases. It could take MONTHS for your thyroid medication levels to be properly dialed in. If you are LUCKY, and your physician is VERY GOOD at what he or she does, you will be OK. It will be a matter of figuring out just how much medication you will need for your body weight. Your OWN body SHOULD be making a certain amount of the thyroid hormone. The medication SHOULD be replacing only a PORTION of what your body needs. The trick for the physician is just HOW MUCH it is that you need to cover the percentage of the thyroid hormone that your body does not produce. ANOTHER factor that you will have to keep in mind is that as you lose WEIGHT, your thyroid hormone needs will CHANGE. You will need LESS of the thyroid hormone as you WEIGH less. You may never be FREE of the need for thyroid medication, but your need for the medication WILL change over time. You will have to have REEGULAR blood work done to keep on top of your thyroid hormone levels as you lose weight. I know. I, too, suffer from hypo-thyroidism. Will a high level of thyroid hormone levels keep you from having the surgery performed? I don't know. Only your surgeon can answer that question. With LUCK, and with SKILL, you will be able to have your surgery on time. GOOD LUCK! I hope this helps. Hugh
   — hubarlow

February 3, 2009
Bev, First stop worrying if you can; that physically changes the chemistry of the way your body reacts to things; i.e. the stress of surgery. For the most part, I agree with Hugh. It depends primarily on your body and its ability to process the synthroid. The how much is a big question mark. Unless you have a rough idea yourself; it is trial and error and each of us are different. Hopefully on Thursday, you will have positive results. If not my advice is to keep treating your thyroid condition until you are healthy enough for the surgery. Good Luck and God bless, vinnigirl, retired RN
   — vinnigirl

February 3, 2009
I have been taking synthroid for over 10yrs now I am 175mg it did not interfear with my surg. at all I had mine 12/15/08 and as of my 6 wk check up today am down 40 lbs. So don't worry about that you will be fine u will be on it also the rest of your life we just pray that it doesn't go up.
   — TONIANN B.

February 3, 2009
My last TSH was at 16.9 as well. My docotr increased the dose from .150 to .200 since he suspects that I might be having issues with the amount of meds my body can process after lap RNY. I hade my surgery 2 years ago and I'm anemic and have vitamin defficiencies too. As far as not having surgery due to abnormal TSH levels, I wouldn't worry about it at all. This should not prevent the docotor from performing the procedure. Remember, if you have questions about medical concerns, you should always ask your doctor. Good luck.
   — maria09elena

February 15, 2009
I have 4 months post RNY, I have lost 87 pounds. I also have hypothyroidsim. My level was good until surgery, In december my level was 28, so he increased me to 300 mcg per day. I had all my labs drawn last week, yep a vampire came callin'! I go Wednesday to see the results. I'll let you know.
   — jenks621