Years on Synthroid

[Jojoann]

has anyone taken Synthroid for over 25 years and feel it has stop working for them. My TSH never stays the same last year or so MD has to change the dosages! I feel ill all the time sick headaches body pain bad pain in face! feel pressure in face Like head is being pulled down tight can't sleep pressure in stomach restless and nausea with no appetite feel out of body can't get going! Just wondering should one after all those years change to different brand! I had raidio active iodine when I was 25 now 61

[greygoose]

I think the problem is your doctor, not the levo! He should not be adjusting your dose up and down according to the TSH! Of course the TSH never stays the same if he does that. What he should be doing is testing the FT4 and the FT3 and dosing by those. I realise that it's difficult to get the FT3 tested on the NHS, but he could at least do the FT4.

He should also be testing your nutrients : vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin. If those are sub-optimal - which they probably are - then your body will not be able to use the levo you're taking.

Do you have copies of your test results? If not, ask for them. It is your legal right to have a copy. You need to see exactly what he has tested for, and what the result was. But, if they ask you why you want your labs, just say it's for your private records.

[radd]

Jojoann,

Welcome to our forum and sorry to hear you are not feeling well.

TSH is variable and your symptoms sound down to adrenal issues, probably caused by years & years of a slightly just too low thyroid hormone level. Weirdness & anxiety are classic in cortisol problems. Have you had Vit B12, Vit D, ferritin & folate tested recently ? ? ...

Post any recent thyroid hormone test results, complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

[Glynisrose]

TSH is NOT a thyroid hormone. Its a pituartry hormone and as such should NOT be used to judge you. Have you ever had a free T3 or T4 done? This is where the difference lies. Your endo can do proper tests and so can your GP.