is it too soon

[CarolMSM]

Hi..is it too soon to feel a difference after taking Levothyroxine for three weeks

[RedApple Administrator]

No, it's definitely not too soon to feel a difference.

But it is too soon to test your levels to see if you need a dose increase.

[CarolMSM in reply to RedApple]

Ok Thankyou…just waiting to hear from the dr. I was started on 75mcg which was too high..couldn’t sleep so now on 50 mcg. Im going to ask if I can take them alternate days. Do you think that’s ok.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to CarolMSM]

I'd suggest very much not a good idea to alternate day dose.

Some do that when they are on, say, 100 one day, 125 the next. But as a percentage of dose that is modest. A far smaller percentage than it would be for you. And quite a number of us find even that is too uneven and we'd prefer 112.5 every day!

[CarolMSM in reply to helvella]

So I wonder if I should go up to 75 again .

[RedApple Administrator in reply to CarolMSM]

Do you mean alternate 50mcg one day and 75mcg the next?

[CarolMSM in reply to RedApple]

Yes

[RedApple Administrator in reply to CarolMSM]

That seems reasonable to try. But GP may want you to wait until next blood test before changing dose again.

[CarolMSM in reply to RedApple]

Ok….my sister takes 100 mcg one day then 75 the next but she has been on Levothyroxine for 20 years. Maybe three weeks is too soon to change the dose ..just feel so tired

I

[RedApple Administrator in reply to CarolMSM]

You can't go by what your sister takes. we are all different. And, it takes time to get to the right dose. It cannot be rushed unfortunately.

I just looked at your previous post, but can't tell when you had your latest blood test? Have you been tested since starting on levo?

[CarolMSM in reply to RedApple]

It was the 27 th March then had to wait 3 weeks for dr appointment so only been on meds three weeks

[RedApple Administrator in reply to CarolMSM]

Too soon to be chopping and changing your dose unfortunately. Best to wait another week at least. Some doctors will re- test after four weeks, others say six weeks.

[CarolMSM in reply to RedApple]

Oh ok..thanks for your advice..I’m impatient to feel better…no walking or gym now 😕

[RedApple Administrator in reply to CarolMSM]

We get you. It's a horrible waiting game, when every day feels like a week. 🤗

[CarolMSM in reply to RedApple]

Thankyou

[FancyPants54 in reply to CarolMSM]

One of the biggest things we have to learn with this condition is patience. Everything takes ages and if you rush it you just end up more broken than when you started and it can be hard to sort out a way back.

I never test a dose until I've been on it for 6 weeks. And now I tend to use 8 or 12 weeks if I can. You can't tell a thing 3 weeks in. Just keep going and rest when tired. Tell the family they will have to look after themselves and you for a while rather than the other way round. Then plonk yourself on the sofa with the remote and stay there unless you feel capable of doing more. It's a waiting game. Those with the most patience win.

[CarolMSM in reply to FancyPants54]

Thanks for your kind advice ..it’s so frustrating .

[FancyPants54 in reply to CarolMSM]

Tell me about it! 8 years or so and still not found right dose. But actually might be getting closer. I am pretty unusual though, so don't think you will be like me. Just expect I might take a year to get fully sorted on thyroid meds.

[DippyDame]

I wouldn't advise chopping and changing a dose after 3 weeks...it's counterproductive.

I understand the rush to feel better but you absolutely cannot hurry thyroid medication

It's not like taking paracetamol for a headache, it will take many weeks (months even) before you reach your therapeutic dose....patience is vital.

Also strenuous exercise (e.g gym) should be avoided when undermedicated, that can reduce hormone levels too quickly....if T3 is low, then metabolism runs low, so energy level is low. The more energy you burn the quicker you use up T3.

You need to be on a steady dose for at least 6 weeks before testing....best to stick with the 50mcg daily until the test.

Like helvella I'm not supportive of splitting doses, if it can be avoided

75mcg was too big a starting dose....normally 50mcg

Slow down, you'll actually get there quicker because you avoid dosing errors which then take time to correct.

[CarolMSM in reply to DippyDame]

Thanks for your advice ..I’m halfway there I suppose till next blood test.

[HealthStarDust]

Nope. I felt a difference immediately.