I had a total thyroidectomy about two months ago, and will soon have my thyroid hormone levels checked after taking the replacement hormone since the surgery. The whole time I was hyperthyroid, my TSH level was almost zero. I asked my endocrinologist what she thinks the optimal TSH level should be as I hopefully start to show some TSH. She said she thought it should be around 1.5 (I believe) because studies have shown that is the level at which women are most fertile. I’m in my fifties, and I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. I have recently read that the patient should take the replacement hormone until the TSH is at the high end of normal, and also try to get to the lower end of normal, and see where he or she feels the best. Has anyone heard of a doctor who wants all women patients, regardless of age, to be at the same level? This certainly adds to the overall anxiety of the situation!
