About Andrea Scibana Expertise Medications--uses, side effects/general health information, including home care/cardiac issues/caring for aging parents at home, including health issues of the aging/testing procedures/emergency medicine from a nursing standpoint, and issues involving procedures, courses in the ER
Experience Sixteen years as a cardiac nurse, seven years in the emergency room setting, five years working as the sole nurse for an internist/infectious disease physician (I had many responsibilities not usually done in office nursing/working as a telephone triage nurse currently for several pediatric and IM practices. My years seem many, but my ER and telephone triage have overlapped.
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Nursing degree from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. I am certified in PICC line placement, and have my credentials for my ACLS, TNCC, PALS
Awards and Honors Nominated several times while in cardiac nursing for nurse of the year
Question My husband was diagnosed with borderline hypo-thyroid and his doctor put him on 100mgs of Synthroid a day. In about
four months time, I could tell that he was losing weight.
He had lost 10 lbs by January and now he seems to be losing some more. His tsh has gone from 6.5 to 0.13 or maybe it was just I can't remember. Do you think he could be getting too much thyroid medication. My doctor put me on thyroid meds once and after a year another doctor took his place and took me off the meds, he said I should have never been on them because I was only borderline.
Answer Dear Connie,
Normal TSH can run anywhere from 0.4-5. Certainly, 0.13 seems to be too low, and now on the side of hyperthyroid because of the medication.
When did he have the last levels checked? You will lose some weight at times when you start the thyroid medication because being hypothyroid can cause gain. Is he having any other symptoms? Shakiness, nervousness, trouble sleeping, etc?
Please have him speak with his physician. Perhaps he needs to cut down to 0.075 or 0.05mg. I think that being borderline, 100mcg was a little heavy handed to start, but I am a nurse, not a physician, and I don't know your husband or his history.
I hope this was of help to you. Please let me know if I didn't provide the information you were seeking.
