I have an under active thyroid and take 125mg of thyroxine. I've never felt really great and struggle to maintain healthy

[Mungodog]

Weight. My readings are T4 12 and TSH 0.32. I've no idea what this means or if I'm on the correct dose. Can someone advise me please.

[shaws Administrator]

Hi Mungodog

From now on always get copies of your blood test results for your own records and post them if you have a query. We need the ranges (figures in brackets) as labs differ throughout the country.

The best way to tell if you are on the right dose is to ask yourself 'how do I feel' and if fine you are on the correct dose. If you still have clinical symptoms (GP's seem to be unaware of what they are anyway) you may need an increase in medication. Your GP will be happy with your blood tests as they appear to be 'in range'.

Weight gain is quite common with those who are on levothyroxine and their TSH is kept 'within range'. It is due to our metabolism still being very slow despite being on meds.

We have to practically take a degree in the function of the thyroid gland in order to get better. We have to read as much as we can but unfortunately many GP's don't always agree with what we have learned. This is a link which you can give a copy to your GP to read before you have an appointment and ask if he can give you a trial of some T3 (liothyronine) to your T4. Sometimes they reduce 50mcg of levo for 10mcg of T3.

web.archive.org/web/2010032...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

I think Shaws may mean "Sometimes they reduce 50mcg of levo for 10mcg of T3". And I have more usually heard of a 25 mcg reduction of T4 to accommodate that. Forgive me for sticking my nose in - and even more if I'm wrong!!.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that, it is T3, but for the life of me I cannot edit my reply. If I try to it finishes at 'in range' and I cannot go further down the page. I shall have to report it.

[helvella Administrator in reply to shaws]

I can! And have done so.

[shaws Administrator in reply to helvella]

Thanks.

[Mungodog]

Thanks for this. My past reading are April 2012 Free T4 14 TSH 0.92. June 2013 Free T4 17 TSH 0.06. November 14 Free T4 12 TSH 0.32. I really do need to lose weight is and I'm wondering if I should up my 125mg of Levothyroxin.