Hi there I'm hoping some advice before I go back to my Doctors. In October 2012 I was diagnosed with sub clinical hypothyroidism.

[Ward17]

It was highlighted due to investigations for secondary fertility. I was advised it tsh needs to be below 2.5 and was put on 50mcg of thyroxine. Looking back now I did have symptoms that I didn't recognise as being a problem however starting the medication symptoms disappeared and I felt really good. However summer last year symptoms came back , and at this point I hadn't found this forum and didn't realise how important it was to get your levels right, so I left it. I then came across this forum and realised I should of gone back to my doctors sooner. I went back November explained all my symptoms and she has increased my thyroxine by 25 mcg every other day . However I still don't feel right and symptoms are still there . Should I be asking for different tests as I believe I have only ever had my tsh checked ?? My results are below and advice would gratefully received.

Tsh

March 2012 - 3.19

October 2012 - 3.78

Dec 2012 - 2.66

March 2013 - 0.52

October 2013 - 2.72

I am due to get bloods done again this week.

Sorry for the long info just for one question. I just wished someone has explained to more and told me how it important it is to get your levels right sooner.

[shaws Administrator]

First of all, doctors don't explain because they appear not to know themselves.

Always get a print-out of your blood tests but they must have the ranges too as labs throughout the country differ (which makes life difficult). The ranges are necessary in order that members can comment.

I will say that your TSH is still high and you need a rise in medication. This is what is recommended by Dr Toft who was President of the British Thyroid Association:-

6 What is the correct dose of thyroxine and is there any rationale for adding in tri-iodothyronine?

The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range – 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

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He will do the TSH but also ask for T4 and T3 (probably this won't be done by the lab) iron, ferriting and folate. Also Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D - these two can be low.

[Moggie]

I agree with Shaws, ask your GP to test the vitamins Shaws mentioned as, if you are low in any of them, not only does it hinder your thyroid meds it will also give thyroid like symptoms.

Moggie x