HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Can Thyroxine Be Discontinued With A Patient Of Normal TSH Level?

default
Posted on Fri, 1 Jul 2016
Question: hi i am on thyroid medication for 1.5 years and taking thyroxine 50 mg tabs.
My anti tpo test was negative and also TSH value has become normal ( 2.0).

So is that i can stop my medicine since my ANTI tpo was negative.
weight 78 height 165
doctor
Answered by Dr. Om Lakhani (22 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Reduce your Thyroid dose to 25 mcg and repeat T4/TSH after 6 weeks

Detailed Answer:
Hi

I understand that you were diagnosed to have underactive thyroid (Hypothyroidism) and you are on thyroxine. Since you TSH is normal at present, if you stop you meds there is likelihood that your TSH will increase. Anti TPO is not specific and it only tell us about the cause of hypothyroidism and it is not used for guiding treatment. However, in my experience, in many cases the thyroid hormone is not started for the correct indication. It could very well have happened that you did not need the thyroid hormone in the first place. This is very likely in your case since the dose required to control the TSH is low.


The best way to solve thr problem in your case is as follows: If you are not having any symptoms of underactive thyroid at present, I would suggest you to reduce the dose of Thyroxine to 25 mcg and repeat FREE T4 AND TSH after 6 week. If your TSH is normal then we can attempt to reduce the dose further and possibly stop the medication.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Om Lakhani

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 319 Questions

Ask me a question
premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Ask an Endocrinologist
Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
backtotop2
Can Thyroxine Be Discontinued With A Patient Of Normal TSH Level?

Brief Answer: Reduce your Thyroid dose to 25 mcg and repeat T4/TSH after 6 weeks Detailed Answer: Hi I understand that you were diagnosed to have underactive thyroid (Hypothyroidism) and you are on thyroxine. Since you TSH is normal at present, if you stop you meds there is likelihood that your TSH will increase. Anti TPO is not specific and it only tell us about the cause of hypothyroidism and it is not used for guiding treatment. However, in my experience, in many cases the thyroid hormone is not started for the correct indication. It could very well have happened that you did not need the thyroid hormone in the first place. This is very likely in your case since the dose required to control the TSH is low. The best way to solve thr problem in your case is as follows: If you are not having any symptoms of underactive thyroid at present, I would suggest you to reduce the dose of Thyroxine to 25 mcg and repeat FREE T4 AND TSH after 6 week. If your TSH is normal then we can attempt to reduce the dose further and possibly stop the medication.