Q. About three years ago I had radiation treatment for a nodule on my thyroid. Without a functioning thyroid gland, I must take levothyroxine. The doctors still can’t seem to get the dose of Synthroid right so that my TSH level will be steady.
As a result, my TSH lab values are either very low or very high, and I feel terrible. I have tried taking my Synthroid at night as well as in the morning, but nothing is helping. I hope you can send me your Guide with more information.
A. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is the standard doctors use to evaluate thyroid status. Since your level varies so much, you may want to discuss some other thyroid medications with your doctor.
One reader sent this report: “Taking Synthroid was making me miserable. I read about Erfa desiccated thyroid in your column and got a prescription. I sent away to a pharmacy in Canada to get it.
“Within a few weeks I felt much better and in three months my lab tests showed definite improvement. My doctor did NOT believe it but I am grateful.”
We are sending you our Guide to Thyroid Hormones with discussions on interpreting lab tests (including TSH) as well as using desiccated thyroid.
