How long does it take for thyroid to become lazy and stop producing hormones, when taking levathyroxine?

[madness07]

While I am trying to get back to my endo, I thought to try self medicating leva, how long can i take it, so i can still stop and my thyroid still produce hormones on its own. I hope you can understand what i mean. Thanks!

[greygoose]

Well, l wouldn't call it getting lazy, but your thyroid gland might stop producing hormone when you start taking thyroid hormone replacement. And it might not. But, it resume whwt passes for its normal service, when you stop taking it. Can't give any idea of how long it would take, though.

[madness07 in reply to greygoose]

Do you think I can self medicate as at test for a short while?

[greygoose in reply to madness07]

What do you mean by a short while? Given that it takes six weeks for levo to take full effect, anything less won't make any difference to you. And, if your planning on taking a blood test, it will screw the results. But, as you give so little detail, it's difficult to answer that question, I'm afraid.

[madness07 in reply to greygoose]

I am planning to go to endo very soon, and depending on the way it goes maybe start self medicating. I know it takes 6 weeks, but i was thinking to do a trial of 3months, the same as doctors sometimes offer. And then seehow i feel, if there is improvement etc. But im worried that there willbe no way back if i start.

[greygoose in reply to madness07]

Ah, the myth of levo shutting down the thyroid! No, it won't do that. But, do make sure that if you do put yourself on a three months trial - although I'm rather anti-trials - that you start at 50 mcg, not 25.

The thing with a 3 month trial, is that hormones don't always work that fast. It's possible that it might make you feel better pretty quickly. But, it's also possible that you will need a much higher dose to feel well. But, 75 mcg would be a maximum you could start on, depending on your age, and the state of your heart. And, you can only increase by 25 mcg every six month. So, your dose might not get as high as you need it in three months.

[madness07 in reply to greygoose]

I see, well then i shall hope meeting with one of 2 endos i want to see will go well, so i dont have to worry myself. Thanks a lot, i will come back to it later.

[humanbean in reply to greygoose]

You can only increase 25mcg every 6 weeks, not every 6 months.

[greygoose in reply to humanbean]

Oh gosh, yes. Sorry! I don't know if it's a hypo symptom, but l think one think, and type another! Six weeks, of course!

[MiniMum97 in reply to greygoose]

Hi Greygoose, I am interested to know why you are anti-trial? Thanks 😊

[greygoose in reply to MiniMum97]

Well, I just explained it, above.

"The thing with a 3 month trial, is that hormones don't always work that fast. It's possible that it might make you feel better pretty quickly. But, it's also possible that you will need a much higher dose to feel well. But, 75 mcg would be a maximum you could start on, depending on your age, and the state of your heart. And, you can only increase by 25 mcg every six month. So, your dose might not get as high as you need it in three months."

[MiniMum97 in reply to greygoose]

Oh ok, so you are not anti-trial in terms of a test of levo to see if it makes you feel better, just "anti-short-trial" (!). Is that right?

[greygoose in reply to MiniMum97]

Well, a trial, by definition, is short-term, isn't it. Plus the fact that just knowing it's going to be short-term, puts a strain on the patient, who feels s/he has to get better in that time, which will probably mean that she won't. It's counter-productive. And, I do wonder sometimes, if doctors don't know this, and do it deliberately.

Either they put you on levo or they don't. But none of this pussy-footing around and putting a time limit on it. That's not good.