Recently diagnosed on 50mg levothyroxine day latest test shows slight improvement dr says next test in 3 months. Still have swollen throat.

[SarahWKK]

Lump in throat was why I went to doctors in first place. Doctor not helpful at all make me feel like I'm being a nuisance. Any advice appreciated.

[shaws Administrator]

I am sorry you are yet another 'left by the wayside' in the treatment of thyroid gland problems.

You now have to read and learn as much as possible in order to recover your health. Most doctors are very poor when it comes to treating patients with thyroid gland disorders because they don't have the expertise except telling you how you are by looking at the blood test result. They are unaware of clinical symptoms either.

50mcg is a starting dose, you should have had a blood test and an increase after 6 weeks. Forget the word 'normal' when seeing doctors re your thyroid gland. Considering that the thyroid gland hormone runs our whole body's system, it is extremely important we have enough of it to function, the brain contains the most cells.

Make an appointment for 6 weeks, tell him/her you are not feeling well can you have another blood test. You now belong to Healthunlocked Thyroiduk.org who is an NHS choices for informing people about their problems with the thyroid gland.Also ask for a vitamin B12, Vitamin D, iron, ferritin and folate as we are usually deficient. Get print-outs of your blood tests with the ranges (figures in brackets) as labs differ and it enables members to comment on them.

Some people feel well on lowish doses, i.e. 75mcg but some need 170mcg, so it is trial and error. This is a link re the role of vitamins.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/member...

[SarahWKK in reply to shaws]

Thank you for your reply. My initial test six weeks ago came back very underactive. They then put me on the 50mg. Latest test this week they just said slight improvement and another test in 3 months, no change in dose. I have made an appt to speak to dr on Monday. But not sure if they will listen

[shaws Administrator in reply to SarahWKK]

Sarah, you should have a test every six weeks until you are better. Slight improvement is not good enough. If you email [e-mail] and ask for a copy of the Pulse Online article by Dr Toft. In it he states what the doctors should be aiming for and it is a TSH below 1. Most GP's wrongly believe that if our TSH level is 'in range' you're well. They are so, so wrong and badly trained or untrained in the treatment of hypothyroidism.

If you want to get better we have to be pro-active (I don't mean cheeky) but I would never have thought in a million years that doctors are ignorant in some treatments. Dr Toft was President of the British Thyroid Association so they cannot dismiss his comments.

Don't be afraid to give a copy of the article to your GP to discuss it with her. It is question 6 in the article. There are other points in the article which she should absorb to enable her to care for her patients properly, not adequately.

[waveylines]

Sarah -it sounds like they should have increased the dose. Shaws has given you very sounds advice -you need to read up and learn as sadly GP's are very poorly informed on effective treatment. Under treating is extremely common which leave you feeling poorly. Thyroid UK has a very good book list on it's website and also has a loan library if you prefer not to buy.

The lump in the throat feeling is a common symptom of hypothyroidism and should go once you are effectively treated. I would not accept leaving this for another 3 months but go back to your Gp and request an increase in meds. get a copy of your results and post them up on here withe their reference ranges (in brackets) The receptionists will print them out -most surgeries don't charge for this. Set up a file and keep a copy of all your results now and in the future -it can be helpful to look back on.

[shaws Administrator]

You take the levothyroxine on an empty stomach first thing with 1 glass of water. You don't eat for around an hour. When you go for a thyroid gland blood test, do not take your meds until afterwards and have appointment as early as possible. .Also ask for a vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate to be checked as we are usually deficient.

If you happen to forget to take your meds and have eaten, you have to leave two hours each side so that food won't interfere.

[wombatty in reply to shaws]

Why are we supposed to take thyroid meds with a full glass of water? I hate water unless it's really cold, and I have to run the tap for a frustratingly long time in the morning to get it cold enough. Can I use just enough to wash down the pill? Or could I use diet soda?

[HarryE in reply to wombatty]

Levo can swell in the gullet, so needs to be washed right down to avoid this. Not sure about the soda though!

[shaws Administrator in reply to wombatty]

It is because of the possibility of the pills swelling in your gullet. Can you put some water in fridge, or you can use warm water but not diet soda.

[wombatty in reply to shaws]

Thank you to Harry E and Shaws. I will take Shaws' suggestion and put water in the fridge at night so I have cold water to wash down the pill.

[shaws Administrator in reply to wombatty]

Can you get a copy of your latest blood test with the ranges and post on a new question for members to comment on them. 3 months seems a long time.

[SarahWKK]

Thank you all so much for your kind replies. I have a telephone appt. with doctor on Monday so hope to get something sorted then.