When I started back on my thyroid medication back in June my TSH level was 8. a month later it came down to 6 so my doctor kept me on the same dose to bring it down slowly. I just got my level checked again Friday, I am now at 12????? Not sure I know what is going on or why my level suddenly doubled. I take my pill at the same time everyday, on an empty stomach as ordered. My doctor asked me if I was taking it correctly?? I have been on this medication for over 10 years, I think even if I was not a nurse I would have figured out how to take it by now. I just haven't figured out why my level jumped like it did. I think I need to make an appointment and ask for an ultrasound to make sure nothing more is wrong, I also need to have her check my T3 and T4. But, that number does explain a lot that has been going on this past month.

What medicine do you take and what dose? Have you been tested for Hashimoto's?

Is your doc an endocrinologist, or is she family practice? There are so many things that could cause such a high TSH, and I would guess that an FP doesn't necessarily know them.

Even the pituitary being unhealthy could cause it. But first of all, have your symptoms worsened? Are you gaining, more tired, dry skin, dry hair, craving carbs? I'm sure you know what the symptoms are!

My TSH was fine at my last appointment with my endocrinologist, but I'd been craving carbs, tired, skin so dry I had petechiae in my belly from scratching during the night. He upped the Armour thyroid by 15 mg, and it seems to have helped.

Check my post below on the Thyroid connection to infections from Dr. Meyers. Possible??

That ThyroidChange website has good info too.

Hashimoto's will make your thyroid change over time, eventually pretty much rendering it completely useless. If you have that disease, then you should expect it to change. And I question your doctors if they don't know that.

I am on Levothyroxine, my doctor increased my dose by 25mcg. When I was on Levothyroxine before(I stopped taking my meds for about a year(I know)) I was on 125mcg, which I told my doctor about as well. I have not had an ultrasound on my thyroid in several years. And, I have never been tested to see what type of hypothyroidism I have. I am calling my doctor Monday and demanding her write me a referral to a specialist to find out what is really going on.

Tired?? I am always tired, I work nights and sometimes I have a hard time sleeping during the day. I just attributed my being tired to my work schedule.

Gaining? I am up and down, but I have to struggle for every ounce I do manage to lose. I have changed my WOE, and eat very low carbs, I walk a lot(mainly at work), I drink more water than I used to, etc. I do have the problem lately of my hands and feet "feeling" so swollen that they literally hurt A LOT. And, I told my dr about that, and it didn't seem to concern her at all. Like right now, as I am typing this, my hands are in so much pain, my fingers feel like overstuffed sausages.

Thank you, I will check these out.