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johnyvw profile image
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Hi,

I have been on levothyroxine for many years (10+) and have never really questioned my doctors judgment on the matter but as the years pass i don't think they have much idea at all, my dosage seems to vary from 100 micrograms (too low) to 125 micrograms (too high).

I am a male and was just wondering why most suffering from hypothyroidism ars female.

Regards to all johnyvw

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johnyvw
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PinkNinja profile image
PinkNinja

Hi and welcome :)

There does seem to be a generic predisposition to developing hypothyroidism and it does seem to be much more prevalent in women but I'm not sure why.

When you are on 125mcg do you feel well? If your TSH goes slightly below range, this is not a problem provided you are not experiencing symptoms of too much thyroxine and your t3 is in range. If it fits indeed feel like too much you could alternate; 100mcg for 3 days, 125mcg for four for example.

It's a good idea to get your blood test done first thing in the morning every time you have it done as thyroid function varies during the day. It is also a good idea to take your thyroxine after the blood has been drawn if you usually take it in the morning otherwise it can give a false reading of you take it right before. Some of this could explain why the doctor can't decide what dose to prescribe but they probably don't know any of this.

With thyroxine it is important to go by how you feel and not worry too much about the numbers in the blood test. They should only really be used as a guide but doctors seem to rely heavily on them these days.

If you don't feel well on Thyroxine, it would be a good idea to test serum iron, ferritin, folate, vitamin b12, vitamin D and cortisol (first thing in the morning). Low or low-normal levels could contribute to symptoms or prevent your body from being able to use the thyroxine as well as it should.

I hope that helps a little.

Carolyn x

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw

How do you feel when your levels are too high or too low? Do you feel optimally medicated?

Is the pronouncement about your dose being too high or too low coming from your doctor, when s/he has done a blood test? Or do you feel limp on 100 mcg and over-active on 125?

Alternating sounds like a plan. CarolynB suggests a higher dose for half the week and a lower one for the other half. But maybe a more even result could be obtained by taking the different doses on alternate days?

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