Help low tsh and t4

[Olsbird]

Hi all. Hoping for some enlightenment. After 7 weeks of 50mg levo\day my tsh has gone from 7.2 to 1.21 but there has been no change in my t4 at 9.2. What does this mean? I don't understand how my tsh can be so low if my t4 hasn't improved and I don't find my GP really sympathetic or knowledgeable. Thanks for any ideas or help. 

[TupennyRush]

Hi 

Something similar happened to me (tsh  went up and my T4 went down) until I hit the right dosage level. My GP said that it was probably due to a number of factors but that we would know I was on the right dose when my T4 was in the mid to high range and tsh low..

One of his explanations was that when you've been hypo for a long time the volume of blood in your body will be less than normal which means that when they take the first readings the concentration of Tsh and t4 in the blood will be higher, when you start recovering the volume of blood increases and therefore the concentration decreases and it's quite common for some of the hormone levels to drop in readings. Hoe accurate this is I don't know but may offer a partial answer.

He also said that with the increased intake of hormone the pituitary and thyroid themselves will both work better (as they use thyroid hormones too) which can be why there is a bit of a wobble trying to find the sweet spot on dosages.

I'm sure your GP will increase your dose to 75 mcg and you can then compare in a couple of months time or you may need 100 or more 

Stick with it 

[Olsbird in reply to TupennyRush]

Thank you so much. That indeed would make sense. I'm still feeling really up\down with my symptoms and just couldn't understand. Thanks for taking the time to respond much appreciated

[TupennyRush in reply to Olsbird]

No problems; one other thing he mentioned was that the organs/cells store t4 and again once you've been hypo for a while the stores are vv low. With the blood concentrations increasing the stores get replenished but this is why is takes a year or so to fully feel better as it takes this long to fill up the 'tanks' over the whole body. So, while you will feel gradually better it's not a quick fix.

[Olsbird]

Omg. I'm going to be nuts if it takes a year. Do you work? Was your Dr supportive of signing you off?  I don't get the impression my GP 'gets' how debilitating this is and I always feel like I'm a hypochondriac. I'm really not - before this I had one week off sick in 9 years!  Also (sorry) how long did it take your metabolism to improve. I've lost my sugar cravings but 1k calories a day (honestly) and I've not lost any weight and I'm still really constipated even though 95% of what I eat is fruit vegetables or salad. Thx 😃

[Stourie in reply to Olsbird]

You obviously need more levo to bring your t4 up and your tsh will lower even further.  You also won't lose any weight until you are optimally medicated.  When you go for bloods get them done early in the a.m , fast with water only and don't take your levo till after the test.

Jo  xx

[Olsbird]

Thanks Jo. Just realised I screwed up. No one told me not to take my levo does before the test. Back to my earlier comment on my GP. Wish I'd found this forum sooner!

[greygoose in reply to Olsbird]

Don't blame your  doctor for that one, he has no idea! They were taught in med school that it doesn't matter what time you have the test done, and it doesn't matter if you take your Levo just before the test. And the bit about fasting is a new finding, so it won't have flitered down to GPs yet - give it another 40 years!

[Olsbird]

😈