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Is Synthroid Safe To Take To Effectively Treat Elevated Thyroid Levels?
Question: Hi. I recently underwent my annual physical exam. My report shows that my thyroid stimulating hormone is elevated - 6.53. My doctor has prescribed Synthroid which is a thyroid stimulant. Why is she prescribing a stimulant if my thyroid level is elevated? What does the elevated level indicate?
Brief Answer:
About high TSH;
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The thyroid gland makes 2 hormones; T4 and T3.
The pituitary gland at the base of the brain controls hormone production in your body.
It makes the thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH, which tells the thyroid gland how much T4 and T3 to produce.
The TSH level in your blood reveals how much T4 your pituitary gland is asking your thyroid gland to make.
If your TSH levels are abnormally high, it could mean you have an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.
TSH levels go in the opposite direction of your thyroid hormone. If you’re making too little thyroid hormone, your TSH will go up.
If you’re making too much thyroid hormone, your TSH will go down.
So, that is why your physician prescribed you Synthroid.
You need to check the TSH level after 6 weeks to be sure that the dose is right.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Mirjeta Guni, Endocrinologist
About high TSH;
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The thyroid gland makes 2 hormones; T4 and T3.
The pituitary gland at the base of the brain controls hormone production in your body.
It makes the thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH, which tells the thyroid gland how much T4 and T3 to produce.
The TSH level in your blood reveals how much T4 your pituitary gland is asking your thyroid gland to make.
If your TSH levels are abnormally high, it could mean you have an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.
TSH levels go in the opposite direction of your thyroid hormone. If you’re making too little thyroid hormone, your TSH will go up.
If you’re making too much thyroid hormone, your TSH will go down.
So, that is why your physician prescribed you Synthroid.
You need to check the TSH level after 6 weeks to be sure that the dose is right.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Mirjeta Guni, Endocrinologist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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