Under active - TSH 10

[Northdown23]

I'm just new to all this and would be grateful for some advice. I am currently on 50mg of levo. I don't have my results but GP said my TSH was 10 ? Weight gain and tiredness are out of control. Grateful for some feedback. Thank you

[Nikki28]

Hi! A TSH of 10 is outright hypothyroidism and I'm not surprised you feel dreadful. Was that your result before you started on levo or after?

[Northdown23 in reply to Nikki28]

Thank you Nikki28 and Spongecat for your prompt replies. I started levo 5 months ago (25mg) then this week my dose was increased to 50mg. I have to go back in 6 weeks time for more bloods. I don't know what my bloods were in the past or now. I just know that the TSH was 10 as she pointed to it on the screen. I think I really need to get a copy of all the results in order to see what is going on and do some research of my own. Its the constant appetite that concerns me and the need to eat and keep eating. I had lost 8 stone nearly 3 years ago but 3 stone has crept on in the last 6 months. Its getting me down ! The tiredness and lack of interest in anything is worrying too. She also said I am also going through the menopause ! At 44 that was not what I wanted to hear ! I cant thank you enough for replying, honestly it means so much. I only found this website yesterday and so glad I did ! The knowledge you all have and are willing to share is fabulous !

[Nikki28 in reply to Northdown23]

Ah, I'm sure your TSH will drop when you're next tested. Most people feel best with a TSH closer to 1 and T4 in the upper part of the range. It would be a good idea to ask for copies of your results so you can keep track. Did your GP also test your iron panel, B12 and Vit D. Deficiencies in these can cause similar symptoms so are worth checking. Funnily enough, when I first went to my GP a year ago she though my symptoms were pointing towards peri menopause but sex hormone results came back clear. My periods were horrendous on levo but I'm now on Armour thyroid and eventing has gone back to normal. When thyroid function is poor it often has a knock on effect on the sex hormones and adrenal glands so don't panic if levo doesn't seem to be working...there are other things that can be done to help. X

[spongecat]

Hi there!

Do you have the ranges there as well? There are usually two sets of figures in brackets before or after your result.

As Nikki says we can tentively say that you are "over". How long have you been on 50mcg for and how often is your GP doing your thyroid blood tests?

No wonder you feel rotten., your symtoms are classic for an increase (by 25mcg) of levo.

[Northdown23 in reply to spongecat]

Thank you Nikki28 and Spongecat for your prompt replies. I started levo 5 months ago (25mg) then this week my dose was increased to 50mg. I have to go back in 6 weeks time for more bloods. I don't know what my bloods were in the past or now. I just know that the TSH was 10 as she pointed to it on the screen. I think I really need to get a copy of all the results in order to see what is going on and do some research of my own. Its the constant appetite that concerns me and the need to eat and keep eating. I had lost 8 stone nearly 3 years ago but 3 stone has crept on in the last 6 months. Its getting me down ! The tiredness and lack of interest in anything is worrying too. She also said I am also going through the menopause ! At 44 that was not what I wanted to hear ! I cant thank you enough for replying, honestly it means so much. I only found this website yesterday and so glad I did ! The knowledge you all have and are willing to share is fabulous !

[greygoose in reply to Northdown23]

The fact that she left you on 25 mcg Levo (not even a starting dose) for 5 months shows that she doesn't know very much about thyroid. She should have tested and increased after six weeks - actually, she should have started you on 50. So, that may be adding to your symptoms and have increased your weight gain.

In future, you should make sure that you go for a test six weeks after any increase. And you are right, you should always ask for a print-out of your results - it's your legal right to have one - so that you can keep track of exactly what she's doing - and what she isn't doing.

When you get your next test, make sure that it's early in the morning - before 9.0. Leave 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test, and Don't eat anything that morning. Just drink plenty of water. That way you will get the most accurate results.

Ask her if she will also test your vit D, vit B12, folate, iron and ferritin. It's possible that these will be low, and you need them to be optimal for your body to be able to use the hormone you're giving it.

Take care.

[Northdown23 in reply to greygoose]

thank you greygoose for taking the time to reply. My iron levels are ok at the mo. I am just going to ask for a print out. Cant do my research without the "bigger picture". Definitely neglect in my case or lack of knowledge dealing with a thyroid patient ! Its great to have the support on here and hear other peoples experiences. Has helped a lot ! Will post the results on here once I get them next week. Thanks again

[greygoose in reply to Northdown23]

Could be a bit of both, but there's definately an element of ignorance in there! We see it all the time on here, I'm afraid.

[MMG207]

Oh Northdown, you sound like me. Exactly! My doctor is convinced if my lab results are in the normal range then my problems are stemming from something else. He has been brainwashed by the pharmaceutical companies that synthetic hormones are the only way to go and thinks NDTH are akin to witchcraft. So I had to go out on my own and do research. Being a retired journalist I know how to research and that's exactly what I did, and the bottom line is the synthetic stuff just doesn't do the job. You need Natural Dessicated Hormone. I suggest you do some serious research yourself, then when you are properly armed with correct information, go to your GP and ask about NDTH. If he or she refuses to accept this, go to another doctor. If, like me, you cannot get a doctor to prescribe, then you will have to purchase it online as I did and being very careful, find your correct dose. Good luck with this, and I sincerely mean it. Hypothyroid disease is no fun at all.