If it's not pituitary, then what's suppressing my tsh?

[tigger67]

My doc today said my tsh isn't low because of pituitary issues since my tsh was 3.7 before I started on thyroid meds. My estrogen and other hormones have always been low, but he said that has nothing to do with it. I disagree, but what else can cause tsh to be a .007 when you're only taking t4 meds and you're not hyper?

[Reece]

Taking thyroid hormone, T4 or T3 or both, will suppress your TSH. If you are taking thyroid med, that's what is lowering your tsh number.

[fireweed]

I'm only taking T4, have a TSH exactly the same figure as yours and am not hyper.

[tigger67]

So how do you convince a doc of this? All of mine basically want to lower my dose to the point where I'd barely be taking any meds just so they can see the TSH go back up.

[Reece]

Endos are concerned about keeping tsh too suppressed in women in terms of bone loss---there are studies which my endo and another endo explained to me that after menopause a suppressed TSH can cause bone loss (studies in thyroid in general are pretty small, so who knows).

In my experience, I am not post menopausal, but with my suppressed TSH (kept that way on purpose for thyroid cancer recurrence prevention), I've had bone loss---it could be from something else (ie, genetics), but it could be from my suppressed, as I'm not hyper otherwise.

My Endo (who I respect and like, and has taken good care of me) says it's a balancing act, but I'm betting your doctor might have that concern as your tsh is very suppressed.

Every doctor is different, I'm sure you'll find the right one for you.