Hypothyroidism - what do these levels mean?

[fatsatsuma]

I was diagnosed hypothyroid after birth of dd3 18 months ago, when my TSH was nearly 90. Have been on thyroxine ever since. Started at 50mg, went up to 100 gradually, and for a while felt really well, but now a) I don't feel great, and b) my levels are TSH 0.06, and T4 21.6.

Weird thing is, when I was diagnosed I felt really well, despite the fact that my thyroid seemed to have virtually packed up. It was only in the months afterwards, and especially recently, that I have felt some of the hypothyroid symptoms - tired, emotionally low, dry skin, etc. When I was diagnosed I felt better than I had done for years - I even had a proper sex life again after it went AWOL after three kids...

Anyway, I fear that my GP is going to want to reduce my thyroxine, but I feel that my symptoms are saying I need more, IYSWIM.

Any advice on what to expect?

PS Am just going out for a few hours, so apologies for not responding to any replies for a bit

Your TSH does seem very low (indicative of too much thyroxine) and it would be good to find out how your FT3 and FT4 lie within in the normal range. If they also indicate that your dose is too high, it might be worth trying a small reduction.

I have found that my dose being too high makes me feel very similar to when it is too low e.g. tiredness, very dry skin, spots etc. The only difference was it made me irritable too. (Not the uber efficient energy laden power horse I might have hoped too much thyroxine would have brought about!)

If your dose is changed, make sure to have it tested again after three months max to see how it has had an effect on the results. I hope you feel a lot better soon as I know how frustrating it is when you have been feeling great and then suddenly you don't any more.

Thanks romaniabound. I think you might be right about the effects of having too much thyroxine being similiar to having too little. I have definitely noticed the irritability. I feel very stressed a lot of the time.

It's hard, isn't it, because a thyroid problem like mine is in no way serious or life-threatening, and yet it really affects one's sense of well-being. I always feel that my GPs are rather dismissive of the impact it makes on my life, and don't necessarily 'get' why I might be nervous about changing my dosage.

Yes exactly. I sometimes feel a bit of a whinger waiting for my doctor's appointment to say I don't feel my dose is right, yet I can see all these people around me 'proper' illnesses!

But at the same time, my dose being off-kilter makes the difference between me feeling like a healthy, energetic, young(-ish) person or a zombie.