Thyroxine reduced dramatically quickley - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,246 members166,490 posts

Thyroxine reduced dramatically quickley

Cazzie1955 profile image
14 Replies

I have taken thyroxine for 10 years or so and was merrily taking 200mg and was really well. Bloods were T4 15.9 TSH 2.7

Starting in August bloods showed T4 27.8 and TSH less than 0.05 ??

Dr starting to reduce thyroxine with 8 weekly retests 175,150 and now 125 TSH still less than 0.05 didn't get T4 result last test.

Feel really well but wondered if anyone else had experience of this Dr doesn't seem to know why ??

Written by
Cazzie1955 profile image
Cazzie1955
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
14 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

I have a query. You posted:-

T4 27.8 and T4 less than 0.05

Do you mean a TSH less than 0.05?

Cazzie1955 profile image
Cazzie1955 in reply toshaws

Ooops sorry have amended it to read correctly Thank you for your help. :-)

Moggie profile image
Moggie

Can I ask if you changed levo brands around the same time?

Moggie x

Cazzie1955 profile image
Cazzie1955 in reply toMoggie

No Moggie Brand just the same x

Hi Cazzie

I am not sure I can be much help, except to say that after 10 years or so balanced on 100 mcg levothyroxine, I too became overmedicated. My annual tests used to average around TSH = 1.5 or 1.6 (0.2 to 5) and FT4 about 19 (9 to 21). Last year my results were TSH <0.05 and FT4 = 24.3 (same ranges). My dosage was reduced and it did have the desired effect of bringing the blood tests into the reference range. Over the past year, I have bounced up and down a bit and have varied in medication between 100/75 mcg on alternate days and just 75mcg. I recently had another 'hyper' episode when on the 100/75 mcg combination so just on 75mcg at the moment.

You don't mention how you are feeling? Did you have any of the overmedication symptoms as listed on the patient information leaflet? Have you felt any different as your dose has reduced? I experienced over-medication symptoms as per leaflet and a few other things besides!

Have you been doing anything different? Moggie asked about levo brands. There has been a lot of discussion about Mercury Pharma 25 mcg on this forum. I am still trying to work out by trial and error if they are contributing to my 'ups and downs'. Prior to the change in my blood results last year I retired, became much more active and lost weight - so age and less of me may have contributed to needing less levo.

Sorry, I can't help on why TSH remains low after reducing levo by quite a bit. Others on the forum would advise to get FreeT3 tested too, plus vitB12, folate, ferritin, iron, calcium, vitD - all of which affect absorption and conversion of T4.

Hopefully others that understand the T3 side of things better than me will have some suggestion.

Liz xx

Cazzie1955 profile image
Cazzie1955 in reply to

Thanks Liz Just hearing from you that you have had ups and downs helps as I had only ever experienced medication being increased.. I too retired but 3 years ago and I have lost some weight so maybe that's a factor. I feel fine and had no overmedication symptoms.

I haven't been doing anything different and feel no different with the reduced dose. Very strange !! x

Cazzie1955 profile image
Cazzie1955 in reply to

Hi Liz

Went back for latest results yesterday and TSH now 0.08 so at least something is happening with reduced meds. They didn't do T4 level again Dr said not necessary ? Thyroxine reduced again to 100mg daily so now on exactly half the dose I was on.

I've also been thinking about your reply and the bit about absorption being affected by vitamins and calcium. Before I went through the menopause and was working full time I took calcium, vit tabs and evening primrose oil (never at same time as meds) but since being retired and having more time to eat a healthier diet I've stopped taking them all. You may have hit the nail right on the head but whatever the reason the good thing is I feel well. Again thanks for your reply Liz it was a great help.

Carol x

in reply toCazzie1955

Hi Carol, thanks for the update and it is good you are feeling OK again.

I am a bit surprised that your doctor said T4 test isn't necessary. Clinical biochemists guidelines actually say that if TSH is out of range FT4 should be done, and if TSH is persistently low both FT4 and FT3 should be done; at 0.08 you are probably below the reference range, though you do need your labs reference range to be sure. Your practice should be able to give you them as they come with the results. The labs in my health area seem to give both TSH and FT4 all the time and I am just used to comparing them both! Maybe next time you should ask for FT4. If it has dropped but TSH remains really low, it could indicate other things are going on.

I had all the vit and iron etc tests done and am well up the ranges without supplementing (except calcium and vit D, but that is because of parathyroid issues), so agree that for me a healthy, varied diet seems to work too, though I know that isn't the case for everyone.

However, the main thing is that you are feeling well (as my GP likes to tell me!)

Take care, Liz.

Cazzie1955 profile image
Cazzie1955 in reply to

Thanks Liz

I usually get both results but not for my last 2 tests. I'll be having another in 4 or 5 weeks and will ask nurse to specify both results.

You have been a huge help and I feel much better about the situation.

Hope you continue to keep feeling well.

Kindest Regards

Carol x

Heloise profile image
Heloise

I would definitely question the maker of your T4. Unless you have done something drastic as the one poster said who lost weight and became more active AND retired which may have reduced stress. I've known and only heard of one hypOthyroid person whose gland began functioning fully but it wasn't after ten years. This is really unusual I think. Do let us know if you find the answer. Would they do an ultrasound to see if there are any physical changes?

Cazzie1955 profile image
Cazzie1955 in reply toHeloise

That's why I posted I thought it seemed strange I will ask GP about ultrasound but I've never had one so there would be no comparison. Thanks Heloise x

in reply toHeloise

Ooops, I should have said I had a total Thyroidectomy, so no chance of it kicking in! Liz.

Heloise profile image
Heloise in reply to

My remarks were directed more to Cazzie's post, tin. But, like you and maybe I'm a lot older than you are, I couldn't handle any more than 100 or in my case the equivalent, one grain of Armour. My TSH is also 1.6 but I did not feel well. I decided to go on T3 only and can raise it without feeling hyper now. If you start feeling badly, you might consider it.

in reply toHeloise

Thanks, Heloise. I guess I was pretty fortunate sailing along for so long on levo with no problems. Juggling dosages and more frequent than annual blood tests are new to me. Feeling OK at moment, so not even raised issue of T3 with GP!!!

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Thyroxine Blues

Dear all, 40 years ago had a subtotal thyroidectomy (cancer) and have spent all that time trying to...
drll profile image

Changes to thyroxine dose after menopause

Hello, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's around 18 years ago but kept on 50mcg of thyroxine for 4...
klr31 profile image

Very high results again and confused

I’ve just spoken to my endocrinologist about my latest blood results, TSH 0.05 T4 -23 ( 9.23) T3 -...
Simplyred57 profile image

Graves’ disease. Total thyroid removal

I have Graves’ disease. Had total thyroidectomy 10 years ago, been on 150 mgLevothyroxine for...
Vivvyy profile image

Blood test while on 300mcg thyroxine

Hi what do you make of my levels? tsh 0.006 free thyroxine 33.84 t4 168.5 free t6.18 I have had...
rocky1608 profile image

Moderation team

See all
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.