Total Thyroidectomy and low TSH levels

The anxiety is normal, the cravings are awful...and I too am putting weight on without trying ...truly awful for any woman who watches her weight. I'm not sure you can do much yourself....maybe try supplements , like I am going to, to balance weaker areas, and the recommended diet for thyroid problems of lots of berries , seeds, salmon.....

ask your specialist about all this too....if they have some sage advice please do share it....we are fellow sufferers, you're not alone.thats the only consolation I can offer x

Hi cheri48, 

You mentioned that you had Papillary cancer. Was the tumour removed surgically? Did you have treatment with radioactive iodine (I-131)?

You say you are confused about your medication. What medication are you on currently?

Regarding your TSH level I can't say anything really since you did not include the units your lab is using nor the normal range. 

If you still have normal thyroid function and a low TSH level, then you might be (borderline) hyper. If you are taking thyroxine your medication might need to be adjusted. 

I think it is also important to find out what YOUR normal range for thyroid hormones is rather than relying on a rigid interval specified by your doctor. Get a print-out of every blood test and try to find out the range YOU feel best at.  

I started using my feelings of anxiety (getting nervous and slightly panicky) like a barometer showing my thyroid levels. The same goes for feelings of extreme hunger occurring out of normal meal times (for example during the night or early morning). 

Do you take any supplements? Many hyperthyroid patient benefit from taking L-Carnitine. Incidentally, L-Carnitine also boost the metabolism of fat in the body.

Sorry, just noticed the title of your post. Total thyroidectomy. So I am assuming  you are on replacement thyroxine. 

Just out of curiosity did they ever check your T3 levels? I am asking since some patients have normal T4 levels but abnormal T3 levels. The symptoms of hypo or hyperthyroidism are actually caused by a lack or surplus of the active thyroid hormone T3.  

I agree with Dan.  Many patients who are on Levothyroxine (synthetic T4) replacement are not able to convert T4 to T3.  Adding Cytomel or taking one of the T3/T4 thyroid replacement medications (like Armour) might make a difference.  My cousin is in the same position as you and she also has PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) which is a metabolic problem as well.  She is on bioidentical progesterone in order to have withdrawal periods.  I do think supplements help also.