Unsure what to do pls advise

[richard123]

Can anyone pls advise TSH 5.9 t4 13.2 tpo 800 GP has given me levothyroxine 25mcg, I have symptoms tiredness, puffy dry skin, broken hair and worst of all brain fog. Will this help or make me worst? Are there any natural alternatives?

Any advice please

[shaws Administrator]

Richard, I am sorry your feeling bad but you should change your doctor as your dose is far too low. You should have been started on 50mcg (unless you are very frail with a heart problem) then after approx 6 weeks increased to 75mcg and 25mcg thereafter until you feel well.

The only 'natural' thyroid hormones are usually not prescribed in the UK, as false statements are made about it by the authorities. Some Endocrinologists do prescribe but many wont.

You are feeling awful because of such a low dose. Low doses can make us even more unwell but the medical profession appear ignorant of this phenomenon.

[shaws Administrator]

If you email [e-mail] ask for a copy of the Pulse Online article by Dr Toft. In it you will read his advice regarding antibodies and doses. Discuss with your GP for an increase. Dr Toft was President of the British Thyroid Association.

[richard123 in reply to shaws]

Thank you for your replys, he did say take 25mcg for 3 mths blood test in 10 weeks then review results and will increase if necessary I just don't want to start it and feel worse. I will email Louise now Thank you

[foreversummer in reply to richard123]

3 months is too long. A re-test after six weeks is the norm.

Foreversummer

[MrsR in reply to foreversummer]

I agree my GP tested me every 6 weeks until things were right...

Sheila x

[shaws Administrator in reply to richard123]

He is so wrong. A blood test should be done in 6 weeks after beginning levo. 12 weeks is astonishing particularly on such a low dose. I will give you a link and you will see what happens with too low a dose, i.e. 50mcg.

Go to the date April 22, 2007 to read the answer.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

[Brubru]

Hi it seems you are still in square one, same as in your post of two years ago? Were you medicated then and stopped?