change in medication

[strickyh]

I was born with an underactive thyriod and I have had no problems with medications or blood tests results until last week. I am on 175mg of levothyroxine and have been told it's too high due to blood test results. I saw a doctor in December last year and he said 175 was perfect. I have recently been having hardly noticeable tremors all over my body and mild anxiety. is this due to having to much levothyrioxine ? oh and I'm only 18

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome stricyh

You've certainly been taking levothyroxine for a long time without a problem but sometimes we need an adjustment for one reason or another.

Can you get a copy of your blood test results with the ranges and post on a new question for comments.

Do you get your blood test taken as early as possible and not take your medication until afterwards? Do you take your medication on an empty stomach on wakening and eating around 1 hour later. Do you take levothyroxine about 4 hours apart from supplements or other medications?

Some doctors are apt to adjust medication according to the TSH result which can mess up the patients metabolism, but as you are having some clinical symptoms it may need an adjustment. If you haven't already had a blood test for Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate ask for these to be done as we are usually deficient.

Always get copies of your blood tests - with the ranges - for your own records and so that you can post if you have queries.

[strickyh in reply to shaws]

I don't know the results at the moment but I take my medication on an empty stomach, done so since I can remember, do you think high dose is related to tremors/shaking and anxiety

[rosetrees in reply to strickyh]

It could be. Those are classic signs of being hyper, so do get a copy of your results. The body changes as you grow up and hormone balances change.

[shaws Administrator in reply to strickyh]

Yes, you're taking levo correctly. It's an average dose and you've not had problems in the past. Maybe your body is undergoing a change in other hormones and your blood tests will show whether you're on too much or too little levo. Feelings of anxiety are horrible and can happen with either too low or too high.

[strickyh in reply to shaws]

my blood test showed that I was on too much but nothing was done

[shaws Administrator in reply to strickyh]

When doctors adjust medication according to blood tests to try to get our TSH within a certain point can end up with us being more unwell. They should only adjust meds, either up on, according to our clinical symptoms, i.e. - still complaining or overstimulated. Unfortunately, they are unaware of this.

[Marz]

Did they test the FT3 - if that is over the top of the range - then it may suggest you are over medicated. How are your levels of Iron - Folate - Ferritin - B12 - VitD - they all need to be at the top of their ranges - Ferritin around 70/80. Perhaps these need to be tested if you have not had them done recently....

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

The above link may help you to understand more about B12 deficiency and its importance....

[strickyh in reply to Marz]

I haven't had any other tests done. I've only ever had a blood test for my thyriod and that it. I'm at the doctors on Thursday so I'll ask for those tests to be done. in the mean time, what foods are good to eat to get B12 from

[Marz in reply to strickyh]

Also ask for more than the TSH test - you also need the FT4 and the FT3. T4 is produced by the thyroid and is just a storage hormone. It then converts into T3 which is the ACTIVE hormone and needed in every cell of your body - cells of the brain - the heart - kidneys - liver - skin - lungs - anything you can think of. So it is very important.

You could google foods containing B12 - but I think Liver has the highest amount. In the 50's and 60's most people ate liver and other offal as it was cheap - now they do not - and in my opinion it has created a huge problem with nutrition and B12 deficiency....

[shaws Administrator in reply to strickyh]

As you have congenital hypothyroidism I don't understand why they don't prescribe Natural Dessicated Thyroid Hormones which contain all of the hormones a natural healthy thyroid would, i.e. T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin. Would mother nature provide these if not required?

The very least your doctor could do is add some T3 to your T4.

Always get copies of your blood tests and get a print-out from the surgery of your latest one with the ranges as labs differ. You don't take levo on the morning of your blood test but take it after as it can skew the results and have it as early as possible. TSH varies throughout the day anyway (I doubt GPs know this).

As you are having symptoms, and if you took your last blood test later in the morning or after taking meds, ask for a new Thyroid blood test, plus Vitamin B12, Vitamin B, iron, ferritin and folate get a copy and post on a new question. Don't adjust medication yet.

[strickyh]

thanks, I will check for that Thursday thanks