After being fairly recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism (eventually after 10+ years) I am on 200 mg of Levo is it normal

[Mechani]

[humanbean]

Just for future reference, the units for levothyroxine are micrograms (mcg) not milligrams (mg).

Is 200mcg per day your starting dose or did you start much lower? And if you did start lower how quickly did your dose go up, and what dose did you start on? Most people start on 25mcg or 50mcg per day, so 200mcg sounds eye-wateringly high!

If your doctor started you on 200mcg per day then I suggest you get another doctor as soon as possible, because the one you have is an idiot.

[Mechani in reply to humanbean]

Reached 200mcg over the space of six months

[Mechani in reply to humanbean]

Doctor is an idiot anyway , took over ten years to be diagnosed

[humanbean in reply to Mechani]

I think a lot of people would end up on 100mcg - 200mcg per day. Perhaps big/tall people might end up on more, but I'm not sure - I'm not an expert.

Are you here because you still feel really unwell? If you are then you would be in very good company. There are various things people need to get right before they get any benefit from thyroid medication. Things like cortisol output from the adrenal glands, getting the levels of various vitamins and minerals correct, plus a few other things.

Another thing - have you been told how to take levothyroxine?

Doctors think they just give people a prescription for levo and everything in the garden will be rosy. If the person complains they still feel ill then they are hypochondriacs or they have other things wrong with them.

There are things you can do to help yourself and lots of people have to learn what those things are. Sadly, many doctors really don't have a clue.

As a good place to start, take a good look at the Thyroid UK website :

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/index....

You have a lot to learn, but it is possible to feel well again.

[humanbean in reply to Mechani]

My answer seems to be very vague and mysterious, sorry. Perhaps someone who is more awake can give more detail for you.

[shaws Administrator]

I guess, when you were eventually diagnosed, your TSH was very high. 200mcg is not an unusual dose

and as you say meds were raised over six months.

Before the thyroid gland blood tests were introduce the usual doses were between 200mcg and 400mcg.

How do you feel at present? If you can get a copy of your latest thyroid gland blood tests, complete with the ranges, post them on a new question for comments. Always get a copy of your blood test results for your own records.