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What Causes Elevated TSH Level?
HI there, I had multi focal papillary carcinoma of the thyroid and a total thyroidectomy approximately 6 months ago. I did not have radioactive iodine treatment. I had bloodwork which shows normal levels of T4 however high TSH. I have low thyroglobulin but do have thyroglobulin antibodies present. My doctor has sent me for an ultrasound but I haven t received the results as of yet. I am wondering what the potential cause of the high TSH is? I know they would like to suppress that do decrease the chance of recurrence however I also seem to be quite sensitive to increases to my dose of synthroid. I was originally placed on 0.1 and then increased to .112 however this gave me heart palpitations and anxiety. my doctor dropped me back down to .1....but now I feel like he may suggest increasing it again...Can something else be causing the increase in the TSH?
Mon, 10 Dec 2018
Hi,
Noted the history and understood the concerns. The basic of TSH is as follows: TSH is called thyroid stimulating hormone and secreted by a Pituitary gland situated in skull near the brain.
It works like a sensor that senses the amount of circulating thyroid hormones secreted by thyroid gland or taken orally and responds by producing TSH.
Since you have undergone thyroidectomy, the circulating thyroid hormones might be less than the Pituitary feels and responds by secreting more TSH hence you have high value.
Unfortunately, the increased dose of Synthroid is giving you heart problems such as palpitations and anxiety hence a slow increase in dose may solve your problems.
Also, insist on thyroid scan and related other investigations to find the cause and get treated accordingly.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr T Chandrakant, General Surgeon
Noted the history and understood the concerns. The basic of TSH is as follows: TSH is called thyroid stimulating hormone and secreted by a Pituitary gland situated in skull near the brain.
It works like a sensor that senses the amount of circulating thyroid hormones secreted by thyroid gland or taken orally and responds by producing TSH.
Since you have undergone thyroidectomy, the circulating thyroid hormones might be less than the Pituitary feels and responds by secreting more TSH hence you have high value.
Unfortunately, the increased dose of Synthroid is giving you heart problems such as palpitations and anxiety hence a slow increase in dose may solve your problems.
Also, insist on thyroid scan and related other investigations to find the cause and get treated accordingly.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr T Chandrakant, General Surgeon
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