reduced dose

[elaine1961]

my dose has been reduced from 150 to 125 about 3 weeks ago, over the past week I have had the most uncomfortable stomach ache that won't go away. Could this be a side effect of the reduction?

[marram]

Elaine1961, Reducing your dose could cause constipation, and of course gastro-intestinal problems are amongst the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Have you noticed a change in your bowel habits? Was the dosage changed because you felt over-dosed or on the basis of the TSH? If it was changed just on the TSH, and you feel sluggish and tired, which you do not mention, then perhaps it would be a good idea to go back to the doctor and ask to test your T4 and T3 too, so you can know what is really going on.

If you could get your results with the ranges and put them on here, then someone can give you a few pointers.

Marie XX

[elaine1961 in reply to marram]

I had my regular annual test and the doctor called me and said she thought my dose was too high and I had to reduce from 150 to 125 immediately. They did this to me 3 years ago and when I had a test 3 months after the reduction they put it back up because they said it was too low. A more experienced doctor in the practice spoke to me on this occasion and said its just as much about how you feel as well as the results and said if I felt ok to stay on 150. The doctor who reduced me this time is new to the practice. I'm not having any issues with my bowels just this nagging stomach ache and either far too hot or cold don't seem to have a middle ground with my temperature

[shaws Administrator in reply to elaine1961]

The experienced doctor is correct - they should go by 'how you are feeling' rather than going by the TSH.

This is what Dr Lowe said about adjusting doses due to the TSH. Cursor to January 25, 2002 to read the whole questio/answer.

If the doctor is going to make the imprudent choice of treating the patient with T4 (rather than T3 or a T3/T4 combination), he should be aware of the relevant physiology and treat her on the basis of it. Otherwise, he's likely to ruin her health, as your doctor appears to be doing to yours.

The TSH level is not well synchronized with the tissue metabolic rate. (Probably most doctors falsely assume that studies have shown that the TSH and metabolic rate are synchronized. But despite my diligently searching for years for such studies, I’ve yet to find them.) Adjusting the T4 dose by the TSH level is like adjusting the speed of your car by a speedometer that's out of synchrony with the actual speed of the car. Adjusting the speed of a car by an out-of-sync speedometer, of course, will get the driver into trouble—either with other drivers who'll object to the car traveling too slowly, or with a police officer who'll object to the car going too fast. And adjusting the thyroid hormone dose by the TSH level gets most patients in trouble—almost always because their tissue metabolism is so slow that they are sick.

web.archive.org/web/2010122...

[Jackie]

Hi I Ditto what Marie has said. You certainly need a print out with your results, also at least tests for TSH, T4 and Free T3 with ranges. Then you can see what is happening. Also you need the other autoimmune ,hormonal tests,see TUK, or my answer a little above this.

Best wishes,

Jackie

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[elaine1961 in reply to Jackie]

Thanks, my doctors never show me the results, I was even reduced to 100 at 1 point a few years ago, when I said I felt unwell I was told to wait the full 3 months before they would look at the dose again. When they did I was told to go into the surgery to see the doctor. He said you look unwell I said I feel it he then appologised and said he had read the results wrong and shouldn't have reduced me at all. I don't have a lot of faith in my doctors but so far no-one has been able to recommend a better doctor in my area

[Jackie in reply to elaine1961]

Hi It is your blood, you are entitled to the results, nothing to do with Data protection. Always ask for a print out with ranges about 2 days after tests, receptionist. or hospital, consultants sec.No use without ranges as vary. Keep them too for your own records. I make a note against them of what dose of drugs I am on , not so much for thyroid but on a lot of dangerous drugs and have to watch my bloods, no one else does! Also I would ask when having a test Phlebotomist or nurse, what they are testing, if you ask they have to tell you or assault. Always have thyroid drugs after tests and Beta Blocker ,if on them. It sounds like you need to start looking for a good Endo, ready to ask for a referral; If your bloods are right, you should be too, or you need to see an Endo of your choice ( not GP`s. Not only sometimes docs do not notice results, often they say OK when we would not, especially for thyroid!Find a good GP in the practice and stay with them!

Best wishes,

Jackie