No improvement

Hi I was hypo 6 weeks ago ths 15.4 now I am ths 0.49 t4 31.8. Antibody 416 . What is wrong so much pain neck bones hands etc feel like flu all the time . If someone could explain this I would be very grateful

[Hidden]

Hello Birdhouse,

Welcome to our forum.

Levothyroxine takes up to 6 weeks to initially saturate the body which will only tolerate small increases at any one time.

Depending on how long your hypothyroidism has remained undiagnosed, your symptoms may continue for a while, but be assured that you should start to see an improvement once you are wholly medicated.

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status and for most people that means TSH just above or below 1.0. Your TSH has reduced significantly but symptoms can lag behind good biochemistry by 6-8 weeks.

People with thyroid issues often have vitamin deficiencies and it is recommended that you have tests for B12, vit D, folate and ferritin as optimum levels are required to ensure thyroid meds are working correctly.

Having had an undiagnosed problem for a while can mean there is a lot of issues to be addressed but the good thing is

you are now being medicated and so on the road to wellness.

I hope you feel better soon

flower007

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi thank you . My doc told me they won't pay for vit d test ... What is the other tests for you recommend . Do you know about the antibodie

[galathea in reply to Hidden]

Vitamin d tests, conducted by an Nhs accredited lab are £25 if you pay privately. thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Xx.

[Hidden in reply to galathea]

Thank you I will look into this . But very angry with doc been on tyroxine for almost 4 years . They just don't seem to get it I only got antibodie test because I asked an I only found out about it looking on this site . Thanks again xx

[RedApple Administrator]

ths 0.49 t4 31.8

The T4 result you've quoted could suggest you are actually on too much levothyroxine. That could account for the pain you describe. What is the dose you are currently taking? When did you last take your levothyroxine prior to the blood draw for the test?

[Hidden]

I am on 100 was on 75 before but my level changes every time I grt bloods done . To high to low I've been like this for almost 4 years . Doc is just not getting the picture had to ask for antibodie also . I am going to c him this week an will demand a referral to endro seems I am a guinea pig just reduce or lower tabs that's been his answer every time . Had enough now . Thanks for reply xx

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Hidden]

If your dose is constantly being changed, then your levels will change each time you are tested. The aim is to find a balance.

An important thing is to make sure there is at least a twelve hour gap between taking your levothyroxine and having your blood draw. Also, try to get your blood test done at a roughly consistent time of day. For example, if you usually take your levo in the morning, get your blood test appointment as early as possible (e.g. 8am or whenever the phlebotomy clinic first opens) and DO NOT take your levo that morning. Take it immediately after the blood test instead.

Also, if 75mcg is too little, and 100mcg is too much, then an intermediate dose of 88mcg may be what you need. This can be achieved by taking an alternating dose 75mcg on one day and 100mcg the next. If you don't have the right tablets to enable you to do this, explain to your GP what you want to do and ask him to prescribe the relevant doses to enable you to do this.

[Hidden in reply to RedApple]

Thank you . That's sounds good I am willing to try anything . Would just like to have a normal day :). X

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Oh I know just what you mean. The trouble is, normal days are addictive...if you have one, you then want another, and another and another. (Sorry, just trying to lift your spirits a little).

In case you're not aware, it's also important to not take your levothyroxine close to any food or coffee. You need to take it on an empty stomach and not eat or drink anything other than water for at least half an hour.

Again, consistency is important.

[Hidden in reply to RedApple]

Thanks . Yea I'm actually smiling :). Thanks

[crimple in reply to Hidden]

Hidden since your levels are up and down and you have antibodies have you thought about going gluten free? It helped me reduce my TPO antibodies from 120 to 13 and I felt a lot better. TPO can cause changes in TSH levels as your body can be flooded with thyroid hormone when the antib's attack your thyroid. Also do get ferritin, folate, B12, iron and Vit D tested. If you van afford private tests the Vit D test I can highly recommend and Blue horizon testing is also very good. Hope you soon feel better.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to crimple]

crimple,

There is no point in responding to people who appear to be called Hidden. They are the "ghosts" of people who have unsubscribed.

[crimple]

Thanks for that helvella. You learn something new every day! lol