types of treatment for underactive

[shaybenholly]

can i just ask im still knew to this is levothyroxine the only treatment for underactive an if not whats the best ones in the uk available on prescription including side affects etc thanks xx

[shaws Administrator]

Levothyroxine is the only treatment which is advocated by the British Thyroid Association and the Royal College of Physicians is to be prescribed. The BTA in particular make false statements about the alternatives which have been in use since the 1900s very safely.

Levothyroxine is prescribed and it should be increased gradually until our symptoms go and we feel normal. Unfortunately that doesn't always happen as the medical profession,I have come to the conclusion, don't know how best to diagnose and treat thyroid gland problems, except by using the TSH only for the diagnosis. They have lost the skill in diagnosing patients by symptoms alone so therefore are ignorant about them.

If you have been prescribed levothyroxine and you are not getting any better, ask for some T3 to be added to your T4 (Levo) as sometimes this is very beneficial. Some of us cannot convert levo to sufficient T3 to improve our health. It you take Vitamin C with levo it can help the conversion of T3.

Some of us have difficulties with the fillers/binders so it is best to keep to the one make for quite a few months and then ask pharmacist to give you another make and try that one. There used to be a brand name Eltroxin and quite a large number of patients got well on that alone, some for 25 years or so but it was withdrawn last year for some unknown reason and even though the makers said that their generic levothyroxine was identical, members who were forced to take the generic didn't agree with them.

Some people just don't feel well on levothyroxine and many do but they wont be on the internet looking for assistance. So it is trial and error.

Always get copies of your blood tests for your own records and so you can post results for comments. Side effects can be numerous and sometimes we cannot distinguish between hypo symptoms and side effects.

Some members have had to go private to try alternative medications but a few have been lucky in the NHS and been prescribed and are doing well.

[shaybenholly in reply to shaws]

thanks for taking the time out to answer my question only started meds 5 weeks ago was on 25 micro of levo for 4 weeks was moved up a week ago to 50 i still feel dreadful but i suppose its early days yet im back in 2 weeks for more bloods an their going to check b12 vit d etc

[shaws Administrator in reply to shaybenholly]

Yes, 50mcg is a starting dose and usually 25mcg is used for incrementing the doses gradually. We all have different requirements and some of us need 75mcg up to 300mcg or more. Unfortunately many GPs stop the increases when the TSH reaches a 'normal' level but if you still have symptoms you must ask for an increase. This will take a few months so there is time for your body to adjust to levo.

When you are going to have a blood test for your thyroid hormones, do not take levothyroxine before it and have it as early as possible as TSH is highest then. Take it afterwards. If you've had breakfast allow 2 hours either side of taking levo as some things interfere with the uptake. Take levo when you get up with 1 glass of water and wait for approx 1 hour before eating. Taking Vitamin C with levo helps in the conversion of T4 (levothyroxine) into sufficient T3 (liothyronine) which is the active hormone all our billions of receptor cells require for us to feel normal health.

It is a big learning curve for us if we've never been unwell before but it is also due to many GPs/Endos' inability to heal us.

[shaybenholly in reply to shaws]

thanks for all advice its appreciated

[shaybenholly]

Would you start a multivitamin now or should I wait till they have checked my b12 vit d etc

[greygoose in reply to shaybenholly]

I would wait until they've been checked, if I were you. Otherwise you'll get a false reading.

[shaybenholly]

Ok thanks I won't