Levothyroxine increased

[Susant]

I have been feeling unwell for some time now ,tired, cant be bothered, puffy eyes ,constipation, moody, weepy to name just a few. I'm on 75 mcg of thyroxine my TSH has gone from 0.43 to 1.40 to now 2.32 in last 18 months I have been taking antidepressants the last four months as I am so fed up with having no energy and enthusiasm. My g.p this week has increased my thyroxine to 100 mcg and to check bloods in 8 week. Is this ok I am pleased on the one hand because I have felt so tired and aching muscles. My question is though I am now afraid that I might go the other way and if I do how will I know ? In anticipation of your reply, thank you Sue

[shaws Administrator]

Hi Susant

It sounds to me as you weren't on sufficient thyroid hormones particularly so as your TSH has been rising. Whether 100mcg will do the trick I wonder but hope so.

First thing to do is to get a new blood test. Don't only have the usual, i.e. TSH and T4 but ask for a Full Thyroid Function Test, TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and also ask for Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. These deficiencies also cause symptoms.

This is how to go about preparing for your blood tests:

Blood Test: Have the earliest possible appointment . Leave 24 hours since last dose of levo and test as it may skew results and fast. Take levo after test.

Take thyroid hormones on wakening and wait approx 1 hour before eating. Some foods interfere with medication. I leave 4 hours between hormones and supplements which I have at lunchtime.

Some prefer bedtime dosing, in that case you must leave 2 hours after eating before taking hormones. If you've had a fatty meal it should be longer. Food can interfere with the uptake."

Once you have had the test, request a print-out of your results with the ranges and post on a new question for comments.

The labs may not do all the thyroid hormone blood tests if your TSH and T4 are o.k. but if you can afford it I would have a Free T3 test privately. It might show if you're not converting T4 properly into sufficient T3.

Once you've had your blood test results and comments, it may be worth asking your GP to give a trial of T3 in lieu of the anti-depressants. This is the reason. You can also go back to them if necessary but I believe it must be a gradual tapering off.

evolutionarypsychiatry.blog...

[Susant in reply to shaws]

Thank you that's really hepful.

[Hidden]

Hi there.....

All that you are saying rings bells with me as I followed a similar path and whilst eventually welcoming the rise in thyroxine( 100mcgs) my symptoms got worse.....my main complaint always aching muscles which I could not get rid of.It was not until I asked about the possibility of T3 that my GP finally passed me to an Endo because he admitted he did not know what I was talking about!! It was then that I had an FT3 test and was prescribed a small amount of T3 which helped energise and motivate me.

If you don't improve on a higher dose of T4 I would try to get your T3 tested as you may benefit from a combo of T4/ T3.

Others may have more suggestions too.

[Susant]

Thank you that's really hepful.

[thegemprincess]

Natural thyroid. Brand armour has to t1 t2 t3 t4.