Low hormone needs higher dose
Dear Dr. Gott: I am suffering from confusion. I have had hypothyroidism for 46 years. It appears to be a family thing. The last four years, I’ve been on Synthroid. I very recently had blood work. My thyroid is low. My doctor lowered my Synthroid to 75 micrograms, so I questioned him: I did not get it! If my thyroid is “low” on 88 mcg, why lower the dosage? He explained to me that thyroid works the opposite of other meds. By lowering the dosage, the thyroid reacts by producing more. In my mind, “OK.” We’ll retest again in three months and, if it’s still low, then why take any Synthroid? Please give me your opinion on this. I am just not getting it! If we keep lowering the dosage and I still have low thyroid, don’t we end up with zero meds and still have low thyroid?
Dear Reader: I hope that you misunderstood your doctor, because his approach – as you understood it – is incorrect.
If you have a thyroid deficiency (hypothyroidism), you need thyroid hormone pills to correct the deficiency. If, indeed, your “thyroid is low,” you need more supplement to bring it into line.
On the other hand, if your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is low, this would indicate too much supplement, and you need to have your thyroid dosage reduced.
I suspect that your physician was referring to your TSH, the thyroid stimulant from your pituitary gland. In any case, you need to meet with your doctor to resolve this important issue. Let me know the outcome.
Dear Dr. Gott: I am 78 years old and sometimes, after many months of avoiding sex, I attempt to ejaculate. When I do, the ejaculate is almost all blood and little semen. There is no pain when this happens, nor is there any blood in my urine then or any other time. Can you explain this, and tell me if it is any indication of something serious?
Dear Reader: Bleeding from any of the body’s orifices is never normal and should be addressed.
In your case, the blood could be the result of a low-grade prostate infection, a growth or a tumor. I urge you to be examined and counseled by a urologist. Ask your primary care physician to make the referral.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “The Prostate Gland.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.