It wasn’t until my second thyroid surgery that I begin taking thyroid medication.  My initial dose was 100 micrograms once per day.  This was calculated by my weight.  My TSH levels before the surgery were averaging around 0.8 uIU/ml.  After the surgery my TSH slowly began to elevate....

TSH Levels (uIU/ml):

Dec 2008        0.75    

Jan 2009         1.82     (Complete thyroidectomy sugery)

March 2009     84.37   (Thyrogen injection and radiation treatment)

April 2009        2.87    

May 2009        3.72    

May 2009        4.24    

TSH is produce by the pituitary gland.  Elevated levels of TSH indicate that the body wants more thyroid hormone and/or the body is in a state of hypothyroidism.  This can cause many symptoms the most common being tired, fatigue, sluggish and having weight gain.

The normal range for TSH is between 0.2-3.3 uIU/ml.  When my TSH hit 4.3 uIU/ml I could barely make it through the day.  I was so exhausted by lunchtime that I found it difficult to stay awake.  My main symptoms were tiredness and fatigue. 

So I met with my endocrinologist and he increased my thyroid hormone to 137 micrograms.  It takes about one month for the thyroid hormone levels to equalize and another month for the TSH to normalize.  Being in a state of hypothyroidism is no fun.  I think this increase of thyroid meds will do the trick.