Newly diagnosed and feeling lost.

Hello everyone. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism yesterday. Nothing has been explained to me so I am feeling totally lost and confused. My GP had a receptionist phone me to give me my blood results and to collect a prescription for Levothyroxine, and give me a few instructions and that is all. My blood results are serum TSH level 86.33mu/L, serum free T4 level 3.9 pmol/L. I have seen on other posts T3 results being mentioned but I haven't had that test. I have been given 50mg levothyroxine for two months then have to have another blood test. I also have to have a thyroid antibodies test at the same time and an ecg tomorrow. Is this normal for everyone. I must just add I also have pernicious anaemia and coeliac disease. Hoping someone can help with my confusion. Many thanks

[shaws Administrator]

Hi Cpflyn and welcome to our forum,

Don't worry too much but you will probably be very relieved to have finally been diagnosed.

You don't need to bother yet about T3 levels as you have been started on the current thyroid hormone replacement, levothyroxine, and 50mcg is the starting dose. It will take a while for your TSH to lower to around 1 or below. GPs think to have the TSH 'in range' is right but that's not correct as we might still experience symptoms. When beginning levothyroxine we might get symptoms we haven't had previously but they should gradually diminish.

I would make an appointment after 6 weeks, as I think 8 weeks is a bit too long when first on levo. Always take levo with a glass of water first thing and wait about 1 hour before eating (some foods can interfere with the uptake of the hormones). If you take other supplements/medications leave 4 hours between levo and those.

Some people prefer to take levothyroxine at bedtime then you must last have eaten 2 hours previousy. You can wait and see how you get on.

When you go for blood tests, take the morning dose of levo afterwards (having not eaten for 2 hours). Always get a print-out of your blood test results, with the ranges (these are important).

If you haven't had B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate tested ask for these to be done too.