Latest thyroid results. I'm guessing it's increase of levo needed

May last year I started 25mg levo. Tsh was 9.28. Ft4 was about 14. September tsh was about 7.9 so I was increased to 50mg. November tsh had dropped to 2.6 ft4 was almost 19 and ft3 5.3. My gp kept me on 50mg and said we would re test in 3 months as I was feeling much better.

Well in the last 4 weeks I've felt ill again. I have had a recent setback anxiety wise over Christmas which I'm now coming out of. But I could tell it was my thyroid symptoms again. I feel such awful fatigue and weak in my legs. I feel I'm struggling to function some days and have to rest a lot. I decided to test my thyroid 2 weeks earlier than planned and I attach today's results. I'm not surprised at all but I'm worried will this ever stabilise and will I ever feel well. Just when I felt 70% better I became ill and anxious again and now my results show my tsh has jumped up from 2.6 to 5.7 in 10 weeks.

I can speak to my gp Tuesday. I'm guessing a levo increase to 75mg is needed.

Julie

[Jose651]

Hi Julie,

When I read your results I was relieved to see that your TSH had risen.

Hopefully you are on the road to better health when you get your increase, and you can ask for another test in 6 weeks to ensure that TSH is nearer 1.

Take care, 👍

[Hidden in reply to Jose651]

Thank you

I agree, I'm relieved too as it explains why I've felt so weak again. I am crashing easily again and my fatigue is crippling to the point I rarely go out other than the morning school run.

I had a lotest of stress last month as I had a huge anxiety spell for about 4 weeks. Big setback triggered by the extended family situation over Christmas. I'm worried has that triggered it.

Thank you for your reply.

Julie

[Clutter]

Jingyd35,

You definitely need a Levothyroxine dose increase because TSH has risen to 5.7.

It takes 7-10 days for a dose increase to be absorbed before it starts working and it will take up to six weeks to feel the full impact of the dose. You should have a follow up thyroid test 6-8 weeks after starting increasing dose in case further increase is required.

Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood draw when TSH is highest, and take Levothyroxine after your blood draw.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Hidden in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter.

I always do my test at about 7am fasted before I take meds.

I'm guessing my gp will increase to 75mg next week.

I've been very stressedifferent the last month due to Christmas and having to see family, it caused the setback so I'm. Worried it's triggered the thyroid to struggle again. Especially with my cortisol being high on ny results this week.

Julie

[Clutter in reply to Hidden]

Jingyd35,

Have thyroid antibodies been tested? 90% of hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto's which progressively destroys the thyroid gland and you may have had a flare up. Stress may trigger a flare up but Hashimoto's also causes stress, it's a vicious circle

Your symptoms of fatigue, weakness and heavy legs should improve after your dose is increased.

[Hidden in reply to Clutter]

Had antibodies checked 3 times and all normal.

[Hidden in reply to Clutter]

Or was it twice. Anyway normal results.

One gp said to me I couldn't be hypothyroid as I needed antibodies to be. That's when I changed gp.

[Clutter in reply to Hidden]

Jingyd35,

Unfortunately if only thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOab) were tested it doesn't conclusively rule out Hashimoto's because some people are TPOab negative but thyroglobulin antibody positive.

[Hidden in reply to Clutter]

I had both antibodies tested? The test blue horizon do for full thyroid screen and includes the antibodies.

[Clutter in reply to Hidden]

Jingyd35,

Okay, probably not Hashi's then.