On levothyroxine for 4 months and put on about 8 pounds.

[beaumont62]

I am really bloated and feel like a barrel. I started to feel really good after taking tablets for 2 months and doctor increased to 50mcg but asked to decrease back to 25 as it caused me stomach pains, and even worse swelling and really low mood swings. Anyone got any advice before I explode. Also having a bit of pain in my chest

[marram]

Hi Beaumont62

I have had a quick look at your previous blogs and am really confused, because you gave a starting TSH as 0.7, yet the doctor gave you thyroxine.

It would be useful to know what your actual thyroid levels are because, of course, TSH is the pituitary hormone. Do you happen to have those figures, or could you get them and put them on here, with ranges if possible? It seems that will be the only way to see what is really going on.

Marie XX

[Jackie]

Hi You need tSH, T4 and Free T3 for basic tests for thyroid. Then you can see what is happening.If very low TSH does not preclude the T4 and Ft3 needing treatment but it does mean you need a Pituitary test, 24 hour, urine collection. A reliable test.Always ask for all test results ( receptionist GP, sec at hospital) make sure you ask for the ranges, useless without them. if still not right or when stable there are further autoimmune and hormonal tests you also need.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[Glynisrose]

Well I have heard that Levo makes you fat!!

Don't go by blood tests, go by how you feel, blood tests are NOT all they are cracked up to be, we are all different and the readings should be on a sliding scale too. It is hard getting your doctor to listen but they are NOT supposed to go by blood tests alone, they are supposed to look after you!!

[China123 in reply to Glynisrose]

This is really good to hear

[beaumont62]

I have just rung the receptionist at my doctors and she said that my tsh level was 0.58 and my free t4 is 15.1 at my last reading?

[marram in reply to beaumont62]

That is certainly not anything to shout about, even without the ranges the T4 doesn't look great.

Glynisrose is right, Dr Lowe wrote on his website(not accessible at the moment) that you will not lose weight on T4.

It is very difficult to find a GP who is willing to prescribe T3, Armour is an alternative but if T4 does not suit you then Armour might not either. This is a list of all thyroid hormone preparations available in the UK:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

Do you know if you have lactose intolerance which migh be causing the reaction to the Levo?

Hope you can get it sorted soon.

Marie

XX

[Stourie in reply to marram]

Hi just to let you know that I lost 2 stones that I had put on when I started levo 7 years ago. It took about 5 months , but I didn't feel great on the levo so am now on t3 60 and t4 50. Think I need more t3 though. The weight is piling on again but I think it is the t3 that isn't full strength.

Jo xx

[meow61]

You might be better taking Armour rather than thyroxine.