Should I keep taking my medication?

[dynaskia]

I was diagnosed as being hypothyroid in 2001 and have been on medication ever since. I have autoimmune disease and I have been told by one Professor of Endocrinology that my thyroid is atrophic and that I will have to be on thyroid medication for the rest of my life. Three other doctors have confirmed this.

Because my TSH levels have remained fairly consistently at around 0.05 I was sent to see an endocrinologist. He told me, and this was based purely on my TSH reading as he didn't have my medical records, that I have to stop taking thyroxine as I'm hyperthyroid. He wasn't interested in my symptoms and the fact that I wasn't experiencing any hyperthyroid symptoms, so where does that leave me? I understand that if my condition is untreated it leaves me at risk of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, depression and weight gain. Should I believe this specialist and stop taking my medication - believing that nothing short of a miracle has occurred and that my thryoid has started to work again?

I really need some informed advice about this. My mind and common sense are telling me that if I stop taking my medication I will get very ill, and yet if a trained specialist is telling me that I don't need it, then perhaps I should just stop taking it?

I look forward to your response, many thanks
Maureen

[Nurse Dianne Wright]

Hi Maureen
it really depends on how much levothyroxine you are taking. With our normal range at 0.20-6.00 miu/L then maybe 0.05 means you are mildly overtreated with levothyroxine. All you may require is a slight reduction in dose of 25mcgs thyroxine with a recheck of your levels in a couple of months time.

You are quite correct with saying that an overactive thyoid may be a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease but as your levels are only very slightly below the normal range then this is less likely but does depend on age related factors as well.
See what your normal range is as this changes in different hospitals and will assist in managing your levels / dose.

Good luck

Dianne Wright
Specialist Nurse in Endocrinology