[Stymie]

#1060085

I’m confused as to what this means suppressing your TSH.

Can someone explain what it is and why we would want this?

Thanks

Diane

[adenure]

#1180210

It’s usually done for thyroid cancer patients (after the thyroid is removed and the patient has had RAI). Suppressing TSH (keeping it at the very lowest end of normal or maybe even a little lower) is meant to prevent cancer cells from growing again. I don’t believe there is any reason for a Graves Disease patient to have his/ her TSH suppressed.

[snelsen]

#1180211

that is also my understanding
Shirley

[Stymie]

#1180212

Thanks ladies!!

So much to learn !!

Diane

[Kimberly]

#1180213

Hello – As Alexis and Shirley noted, thyroid cancer is the only situation I am aware of where doctors will *deliberately* try to keep TSH suppressed.

However, TSH can remain suppressed on its own in Graves’ patients, even though T3/T4 levels are normal. That’s why the latest medical guidance is careful to note the importance of T3/T4 testing for patients early in the course of treatment. Why this happens isn’t fully understood, but one theory is that antibody activity might play a part.

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