Help Iv been taking 150 mcg of levothyroxine for 43 yrs,

[Delmom]

Now because I am diabetic I have been told I don't need to have a fasting blood test, and I am over medicated and the dose has been dropped to 25 mcg. I don't agree with this I know what I feel like when I have been over prescribed the past. Has any one any information about this it seems very odd to me

[ROMM53]

Hi, do you have your latest TFT results to post here? Seems very shocking/drastic to drop suddenly from 150mcg to 25mcg dose?

Or did you mean dropping BY 25mcg from 150mcg to 125mcg???

[Delmom]

No dropping down to 25 mcg don't know what TFT results are was informed by note on my repeat prescriptions form !!

[ROMM53 in reply to Delmom]

I think you need to make an appointment to see your GP ASAP, ring tomorrow am. At your appt, ask your GP for a copy of your latest TFT blood results, you can post them later on here for comment.

Ask what the rationale is for such a drastic reduction all in one go, surely it should be reduced in 25mcg increments and your TFTs repeated every 6 weeks after each reduction.

It seems far too casual to me, for such a huge reduction in thyroxine, to be just written on the repeat prescription form---->you need to be seen by your GP.

BTW have you already started this...? and how do you feel...? Do you think it could be an error on your prescription form....? It's very odd!!

[humanbean in reply to Delmom]

When referring to TFT results : TFT = Thyroid Function Test

[Hidden]

Just a point Delmom, I've never had a fasting thyroid blood test in 33 yrs, so am not sure of its relevance outside of your diabetes situation. But that is most certainly an horrific reduction and it really is critical that you get hold of your results and their ranges so that you can understand what has driven the GP to reach such a conclusion. You can then balance it with your symptoms, to reach a more considered decision as to what your action should be.

[Hidden]

I'd say that has to be a mistake - if it's to be reduced at all, 125mcg would make far more sense. Sounds like someone's medicating by the numbers though - whatever happened to listening to the patient? {sigh}.

DON'T reduce without seeing your GP first - a note on a prescription is not good enough. And agree with the above - definitely get a copy of those results and post them here.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I can't help but wonder how on earth he could both: a) drop dose by 125mcg; AND b) think he could have any idea that you would need 25mcg.

If he really thinks you need that large a drop, there is no way he could estimate what you would really need..

Hopefully it will prove to be their mistake - but a pretty damn fool one,

Get documentary proof of results and what you have been asked/told to do.

Rod

[Aurealis]

Sometimes it's a nurse in the practice that's looking at test results. I was once telephoned just before Christmas and told not to take any more thyroxine until I'd seen my GP. I saw him in early January by which time even I had high TSH. and GP apologised profusely on behalf of nurse who was wrong. I think you have good advise here to see GP before reducing.

[Delmom]

Thank you all for your help, yes it's a practice nurse I trust my GP will feel as outraged as I am when is speak to her tomorrow, but I needed reassurance from other people that this was totally out of order. You've all confirmed that my reaction was right, Iv had a lot of health problems in the last three years and it's shaken my confidence, I haven't reduced my tabs and I will get the TFT results once again thanks everyone

[Hidden in reply to Delmom]

Glad to hear that you haven't reduced your meds. Do let us know how you've got on with your GP.

[Glynisrose]

Sorry, I may be being thick but why would you agree to such a huge drop? I would never allow any doctor to titrate my meds by blood tests alone, I always go on how I feel!! NEVER agree to anything unless the doctor can back up what they say with PROVABLE links.

[Delmom in reply to Glynisrose]

Yes Glynisrose I haven't dropped my dose, I'm waiting for my GP to ring me and we'r going to have a full and frank discussion ! I'm furious and up set about this, thank you for taking the time to reply

[shaws Administrator]

Yes, it is odd. 25mcg is a very low replacement dose if you've been hypo for 40 odd years. This is a link from Dr Lowe which is self-explanatory. He does say we are given such low doses nowadays of thyroid gland hormones that that, in itself, can cause us more problems. In this he mentions that 1 grain NDT (approx 100 levo) is too low.

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