Do thyroid patients on Levothyroxine need regular dose checks?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 71 years old, five feet tall, and weigh 118 pounds. I take Levothyroxine sodium 100 mcg daily, five times a week. I felt good about this for about a year. Now I am exhausted, and have an achy body, brain fog, and constipation. A year ago, my thyroid levels were in the normal range. I want a thyroid specialist to let me know what they would recommend. My constipation was entirely relieved when I stopped the medicine for two days. Please tell me.

Should the thyroid be checked and the medicines changed periodically?
What changes would you recommend?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You have hypothyroidism as per history and taking Thyroxine for that. The dose of Levothyroxine is changed according to the serum TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) level. Therefore, the level of TSH should be maintained within range by changing the dose of Levothyroxine from 25 to 150 micrograms. At three to six months, the TSH level should be checked, and the dose of Thyroxine must be adjusted accordingly. This medication should be taken regularly without a break. In hypothyroidism, there is less production of thyroid hormone, so Levothyroxine is prescribed, and it should not be stopped. If TSH is within range, then a low dose of the drug can be given.

I hope this helps. Kindly revert for further queries.

Thank you.