I am on day 3 of levo and Can't get past 4pm! So tired I have to go home to bed for a hour, will this get better?

[Chezp]

[helvella Administrator]

This is often reported. Could you please let us know a bit more about yourself? Your dose? When do you take your levothyroxine? And so on.

It will help to provide a useful answer.

By the way, do you realise that you should take your levothyroxine away from food, drink (other than water), supplements and other medicines? Not doing so can result in poorer absorption - sometimes very significantly poorer.

You might find this poll and the comments interesting:

thyroiduk.healthunlocked.co...

Rod

[Piplysmelie]

Hi Chezp

I too have only recently started on levo. I am a little ahead of you and definitely feel better then I did on day 3!

I was told on this site that it takes up to 2 weeks to feel the benefits of levo. Also what dosage are you on I was also told they start you at a smaller dose and then gradually build it up.

I am sure someone will be along with much more experience knowledge soon.

Pip

[Chezp in reply to Piplysmelie]

Thanks pip, all advice is much appreciated at the moment whilst I get my head around what's going on.... I only went to the dr as the pharmacist would give me any more cream for a dry patch of skin above my eye!!!! Lol good on her I now say as this all makes sence!!!! X

[Chezp]

MyTSH was 80 this week, 60 last week... so have been started on 75 of levo which I take before i get up and an hour before food, on advice I have learned from this site, not from GP just vexed at failing to get past 4pm!!!!

[helvella Administrator in reply to Chezp]

With such a high TSH, no wonder you feel bad.

And no wonder it isn't lasting. Your body is probably slurping up and using the 75 micrograms, starting to get used to the idea there is some thyroid hormone, and bang, you hit the wall as you run out.

It should get better, and you very likely will need an increment to at least 100 micrograms next time you have a test. But it can take a while to build up the levels in your body.

Rod

[Chezp in reply to helvella]

Oh thank you... It's great to feel I am not alone. The mornings I run at full pelt, which is proving to be fantastic, then the 4pm wall... bit annoying but from what I have read I will persevere and I will await next bloods and to see what happens. Thank you so much for your words of wisdom x

[Chezp in reply to helvella]

Just a thought.... What if I took 50 first thing and 25 before lunch? Good/ bad idea???

[helvella Administrator in reply to Chezp]

Some people do split their levothyroxine. But it becomes progressively more difficult to manage as you do so.

For example, you suggest 25 before lunch but unless that is well before lunch, you might absorb less because of the food.

Also, many people find they need to take other things (supplements, vitamins or other medicines) and avoid clashes is not easy.

Do give proper consideration to bed-time dosing - not trying to promote it, simply making sure you have not missed or ignored it.

Rod

[Delly1]

It takes longer than 2 weeks, more like 6 b4 you feel better, it took me months to get the right dose and I now take 200 mg a day... I've had an under active thyroid for 13 years now

[Chezp]

delly1 Oh the joys.... Am willing to be patient as long as in time I feel better!! Being self employed I am luck to be able to come home when I need too but it's not ideal! I will persevere! Thank you x

[Southlondon in reply to Chezp]

Hi Chezp

I have a very similar thing - TSH was 75 April 16th - was whacked on 50micro then saw private endo - After 3 weeks TSH was around 35 and my dose upped to 75micro.

Still having the 4pm crash (can do leads more in the morning but crash around 4pm too) - going for bloods on thursday and then back to endio on Saturday morning.

Also been on folic acids, iron, Vitamin D ....

Do let me know how you do.... I have a 'tell' of dry second fingers (random) just down the side that has come back today.....

Just want to feel like me again -

South London x

[DaizeeFoo]

I found I was falling asleep constantly after day 3. It was on day 4 I waited til bedtime and started taking Levo last thing at night. Although I am sometimes tired and undermedicated, only at 7 weeks on Levo, I stopped the terrible tiredness at day 4 and nearly all the insomnia too. I know that sounds contradictory but you can be incredibly tired but unable to actually fall asleep.