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Do I need lifelong treatment for high TSH levels?
Question
I am a 40 years old male diagnosed with high TSH levels ranging 7.1 and 8.2 at two different laboratories. I suffer from joint pains, depression, borderline cholesterol, blood pressure (BP) - 130/90 mm/hg, borderline diabetes, borderline Homocystine. I am taking Thyronorm (0.5 mcg) for the last two weeks. My body mass index (BMI) is 26.2. Do I need to take medicines for life long? How can TSH level be managed?
Expert Answer
D
Prof Dinesh DhanwalMay 29, 2010
Prof of Medicine and Head of Endocrinology,
Maulana Azad Medical College,
New Delhi
Maulana Azad Medical College,
New Delhi
In your case it seems you need thyroid hormone treatment (Thyronorm) as you are symptomatic and overweight. This might help you. If your anti-TPO is strongly positive then you are likely to have a progressive disease and might need medication for a long time, may be life long. Some of your symptoms are due to your weight so you need to do something about that. I would suggest you to get your TSH after 6 weeks of Thyronorm and if TSH is normal then continue same dose otherwise contact your doctor. Also get your anti-TPO done to know your autoimmunity. If anti-TPO is negative then you can always try to stop medication and see whether you maintain normal thyroid status without medications or not. Remember give 4-6 weeks time to see TSH after changing dose or starting thyroxine.
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