Do I need to take medications for hypothyroidism?
Prof of Medicine and Head of Endocrinology,
Maulana Azad Medical College,
New Delhi
Q: I am a 28 years old woman having hypothyroidism for the last four years. My weight is 75 kg and height is 5.5 ft. I was treated with Thyronorm and was normal. I have a baby now and during pregnancy my T3, T4 and TSH levels were fine. But after pregnancy, I was not taking Thyronorm regularly and now my TSH level is 150 but T3 and T4 are normal. I am using Thyronorm of 125 mcg. Is there any harm in having TSH of 150?
A:Hypothyroidism is a disease where thyroid gland does not produce hormones and patient has to take thyroid hormone as supplement. Majority of patients with this disease need hormone therapy for life and same seems to be the situation in your case. As soon as you stopped Thyronorm your TSH rose to 150. Only surprising thing is that your T4 should have also been low. But any ways it’s good that you have restarted the treatment. Now continue and do not stop any time during your whole life. You can get TSH done after 6 weeks and if normal, continue same dose otherwise get back to us for further advice. Once TSH is in the normal range, continue the same dose and then you can get TSH done once a year. The target is to keep TSH within the normal range. Remember, there are no medications which can reverse the thyroid dysfunction; therefore you need to continue with thyroid hormone supplement.