Should my medication be increased or decreased because my thyroid gland is low

Hello😊

Is the medication you are taking Synthroid?

The dose of synthroid should be adjusted based on blood test results, which should be done minimum every year or more frequently depending on your situation.

The TSH result is used to adjust the dose. If the TSH is too high, the dose will need to be increased. TSH is the hormone produced by the brain that helps signal your thyroid gland to work harder. If TSH is high, it means your body is trying to signal your thyroid gland that it is not providing enough, but it is not responding. So your dose of Synthroid needs to be increased.

Do you have any symptoms that tell you your dose is not adequate?

Signs that the dose may be too high:

anxiety, increased appetite, dry, thin, brittle hair, confusion, diarrhea, weakness, fatigue, insomnia, heat intolerance, menstrual irregularities, irritability, nervousness, palpitations, weight loss, heavy sweating, tremors.

Signs that the dose may be too low:

dry, thin, brittle hair, constipation, depression, muscle aches, weakness, excessive fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, slowness of speech, brittle fingernails, dry, cold skin, heavy menstrual bleeding, menstrual irregularities.

Véronique Leclerc, pharmacy intern (under the supervision of Alexandre Chagnon, pharmacist)

Great. Have a great day and don't hesitate if you have any other questions!😊