My thyroid levels according to my GP were under active and a reTest was done which has came back normal,... I did reduce my Levi to 100 a day so that probably why it's come back normal. Still feel like I did before and decided to go back to GP again to ask about B12 etc.... not convinced all is ok at all!
Wish me luck!
Is there a better time of day to take Levo? Should I be taking my vitamins etc with it or separately/different times?
Thank you all xxx
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Traybay72
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Most people on levo need low TSH around (or even slightly below) 1 to be adequately treated. Your previous post showed TSH at 0.34. As long as T4 and T3 are still in range that wouldn't necessarily mean you were over treated. You need to know the range for T4 (figures in brackets after the result) and a T3 result
Yes If they have not been done ......Suggest you ask GP to check levels of vitamin d, b12, folate and ferratin. These all need to at good (not just average) levels for thyroid hormones (our own or replacement ones) to work in our cells
Also have you had thyroid antibodies checked? There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) Both need checking, if either, or both are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's the most common cause in UK of being hypo.
(NHS rarely checks TPO and almost never checks TG. NHS believes it is impossible to have negative TPO and raised TG. It's rare, but not impossible, there are a few members on here that have this.)
ALWAYS Make sure you get the actual figures from tests (including ranges - figures in brackets). You are entitled to copies of your own results. Some surgeries make nominal charge for printing out. Alternatively you can now ask for online access to your own medical records. Though not all surgeries can do this yet, or may not have blood test results available yet online.
When you get results suggest you make a new post on here and members can offer advice on any vitamin supplements needed
If you can not get GP to do these tests, then like many of us, you can get them done privately
Blue Horizon - Thyroid plus eleven tests all these.
This is an easy to do fingerprick test you do at home, post back and they email results to you couple of days later.
Usual advice on ALL thyroid tests, (home one or on NHSu) is to do early in morning, ideally before 9am. No food or drink beforehand (other than water) If you are taking Levo, then don't take it in 24 hours before (take straight after). This way your tests are always consistent, and it will show highest TSH, and as this is mainly all the medics decide dose on, best idea is to keep result as high as possible
If you have Hashimoto's then you may find adopting 100% gluten free diet can help reduce symptoms, and lower antibodies too. Selenium supplements can help reduce antibodies and improve conversion
You do not need to have ANY obvious gut issues, to still have poor nutrient absorption or low stomach acid or gluten intolerance
Best advice is to read as much as you can. Vitamin and minerals levels are very important, but standard NHS thinking, doesn't at the moment seem to recognise this. You will see, time and time again on here lots of information and advice about importance of good levels of B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D, low stomach acid, leaky gut and gluten connection to autoimmune Hashimoto's (& Grave's) too.
We should always take Levo on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Some/many find taking at bedtime gives slightly better uptake
Long research article - final conclusion paragraph below
"In conclusion, bedtime intake of levothyroxine in our study significantly improved thyroid hormone levels. This may be explained by better gastrointestinal bioavailability at night or by less uptake interference by food or medications. As shown in this study, bedtime administration is more convenient for many patients. Clinicians should inform their patients about the possibility of taking levothyroxine at bedtime. A prolonged period of bedtime levothyroxine therapy may be required for a change in QOL to occur."
Thank you. I am going back to see my GP as I want to know more information. I really didn't realise how much is involved with thyroid and tests etc. It is mind blowing!!!
I think I may do my own test as my GP is very blahzay about everything when I ask questions! She never seems concerned or bothered about my symptoms.
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