Hypothyroidism: when to take meds?

[Anonymous]

Doctor says I have "subclinical hypothryoidism". TSH is 4.3. She won't put me on meds. I am in menopause. I read that most people feel best when TSH is around 2. Any experience? I am going to see an endocrinologist in two months for my diabetes so maybe she will say something different?

[Anonymous]

Ask the endocrinologist.

[Anonymous]

Ask them to test your T3 and T4 as well.

My endocrinologist relies on cessation of symptoms. Generally that is around a TSH of 2 for me.

[Anonymous]

Go to another doc. What are your symptoms?

If you feel ok at 4, great. If not, treat

[Anonymous]

4.3 is high! Go see an endo or just a different pcp. Mine has been well controlled for years after my last kid but I’m usually at 1.5-2 with meds

[Anonymous]

I am at 6 with no symptoms - endocrinologist told me he didn't want to see me unless I had symptoms or the number went above 10

[Anonymous]

Whats your FT4?

TSH is just a signalling hormone from the pituitary. It isn't a thyroid hormone. If your body is still producing enough T4 and T3 to keep those numbers in the top half of the range - then you don't need meds. THe meds are just synthetic hormones.

[Anonymous]

No need to treat if you're symptomless. I feel fine until my TSH is 8-9.

[Anonymous]

If you have symptoms beyond normal menopause or they are new then go to the endocrinologist. There is a lot of stuff that can go wrong with thyroid and it's not just one hormone. I would not medicate or ask a doctor who isn't a specialist to prescribe anything. I say this from experience having taken a thyroid supplement that wasn't dosed correctly.

[Anonymous]

It depends on your symptoms. I was borderline hypo but my endocrinologist put me on 25 mcg based on my symptoms.

Definitely ask your endo what they think.

[Anonymous]

If you have symptoms and or family history get meds.

[Anonymous]

If the Dr won't give you meds then you don't take them?

[Anonymous]

My endo likes me to be at a 1 - I would get a second opinion.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks. I will ask endo after she does a full thyroid lab profile. I was on thyroid medication years before. I have some symptoms but I can't be sure if it's the thyroid or just menopause.

[Anonymous]

Did you get tested for antibodies? I have been prescribed meds for lower TSH’s than that without symptoms, but my antibody test showed that I have Hashimotos, and my doctor cited that in writing my a script.