Helping Keep Thyroid Hormone Balance
Taking the right dose of thyroid medicine, the right way, every day can help to keep your thyroid in balance
Your TSH level is the most sensitive test doctors use to see if the level of a specific thyroid hormone called thyroxine is in balance. When your TSH level is HIGH, it means your thyroxine level is LOW. When your TSH is LOW, it means your thyroxine level is HIGH.
For people taking thyroid medicine, the goal of treatment is to keep your TSH level between 0.3 and 3.0 mIU/L
Keeping your TSH level within this target treatment range can help improve symptoms.
Taking too little levothyroxine can slow down your body's systems. |
Taking too much levothyroxine can speed up your body's systems. |
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Not getting the amount of levothyroxine that your body needs is called underreplacement. |
Getting more levothyroxine than your body needs is called overreplacement. |
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Symptoms of underreplacement |
Symptoms of overreplacement |
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Underreplacement can lead to problems with pregnancy, changes in blood cholesterol levels, heart attacks in older women, and other health conditions. |
Overreplacement can lead to weak bones, changes in how the heart beats (atrial fibrillation), and other health problems. |
Tips to help keep your thyroxine level in balance
Consistent treatment (taking your thyroid medicine exactly as your doctor prescribed) helps add back the precise amount of thyroxine your body needs. These tips can help keep your thyroid in balance.
Take your thyroid medicine the right way every day
- Always try to take it at the same time each day — 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast
- Keep taking your medicine, even if your symptoms improve
- Do not stop taking your medicine or change the way you take it unless your doctor tells you to do so
- Tell your doctor about any other medicines, vitamins, or dietary supplements you take. Ask if any of these products — or any foods you eat — can affect the way your body absorbs your thyroid medicine