Hypothyroidism

[jojojowilts43]

Hi, not long back I had a blood test which revealed borderline under active thyroid so my doctor decided to start me on a low dose of levothyroxine - 25mcg and I didn't notice any difference at all .. Had blood re tested again Feb 22nd 2016 and my doctor called me two days later to say results were back and the 25mch obviously hadn't worked and I am now proper under active now.. I'm new to all this so didn't understand the results but I was told one number is at 16.. Whatever that means?.

My doc rang me and said he wanted me to take 2x25 mcg for cpl days, then take 3x25mcg for cpl days and then go straight into taking 1 x 100mcg a day which is now what I'm doing. I'm hearing tho from people that it seems far too quick to be going from 25 to 100 within a week?..

Has anybody else had to do this? And if so how are u getting on with the 100mcg...?

[Clutter]

Jojojowilts43, If TSH is 16 it will take a long time to come down to 1.0 (which is where most people are comfortable) if dose is increased by 25mcg increments every few weeks. If your TSH had been 16 when you were first diagnosed it is likely your GP would have started you on 75-100mcg.

[jojojowilts43 in reply to Clutter]

Hi, oh so that will explain then why he wanted me to start on the 100mcg then . thank you..

[Sddixy in reply to jojojowilts43]

The dose will be fine jojo.

[Anthea55]

Look at this web page which explains why increasing your dose too fast may not work - it's like soaking up water with a dry sponge - now read on...

thyrophoenix.com/adjusting_...

Also - ring your surgery and ask them to print out your recent blood tests for you, then you can pick them up later and post on here. In the UK you have a right to be given results of blood tests.

As you are new to this, learn as much as you can. The thyroidUK website is a mine of information for starters.

All the best.

[jojojowilts43 in reply to Anthea55]

So why did .my doc ring me two days after my blood test to tell me to be started on 100mcg ASAP? Surely they know what they' r talking about... Or don't they?

[Clutter in reply to jojojowilts43]

Jojojowilts43, If your TSH had been 16 when you were first diagnosed you would almost certainly have been started on 75-100mcg instead of 25mcg. Some doctors do prescribe more conservatively but 25mcg dose increases every 6 weeks means it would take 3 months to get you onto 100mcg before symptoms will be relieved.

I think your GP has prescribed appropriately.

____________________________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[jojojowilts43 in reply to Clutter]

It wasn't 16 to begin with .I think it was 11,all I know is she said at the time I was borderline so said I could take 25mcg which I did for cpl mnths but as I say according to my recent blood test it hasn't worked ... And now my level is at 16.. And blood will b tested again in 6-8 weeks time so I guess they will c how I got on with this 100mcg.

[Clutter in reply to jojojowilts43]

Jojojowilts, TSH >10 isn't borderline, it's overtly hypothyroid and 75-100mcg would have been an appropriate starting dose at that level.

_____________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[eeng]

Some people seem to be more able to tolerate a quick increase in Levothyroxine than others. If you start getting hyper symptoms or feeling generally unwell (headaches, anxiety etc) then you can not take anything till the symptoms subside (a day or two) and then start again at a slightly lower dose. However many people wouldn't have a problem increasing quickly so see how it goes.