TSH rising !: Hi everyone, Well my GP has put me... - Thyroid UK

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TSH rising !

Milpol profile image
Milpol
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Hi everyone,

Well my GP has put me on a starting dose of 25 mg Levothyroxine. Great news as I hope it will help me to start to feel more human over the coming weeks.

You guys have been amazingly supportive and helpful with your excellent advice which I followed and am sure it has helped me to get medication.

For that I am truly grateful and I would like to thank all of you.

So now I have the medication I would like to ask your advice on how to take the tablets so I can get the full benefit from them. I've read to take a tablet with water on getting up and eat and drink nothing for at least an hour. So, when is it ok to have a cup of tea? I am addicted to tea and the thought of not getting a cuppa on waking is a difficult one for me !

I also take a beta blocker for high bp / anxiety so when should I take that tablet now as it used to be first thing on getting up ?

If anyone has any other advice gems on the do's and don'ts on how to take Levothyroxine, I would be very grateful.

Once again, thanks to all of you who have given such great advice to me . 😘

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Milpol
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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Milpol Well done!

How about taking your Levo at night if that fits in OK? Some people take it when they go to bed, it still has to be on an empty stomach, 2-3 hours after food and away from other meds and supplements. It didn't work for me because I'm an evening snacker and can guarantee that I will have eaten a biscuit or two close to bedtime, plus I take magnesium before bed.

Or, what suits some of us, is if you need the loo in the middle of the night. They are regular trips for me, sometimes 5am, sometimes 6am, that's when I take mine.

As long as you keep other meds a couple of hours away from Levo it should be fine, but do check online for interaction of levo with a particular medication.

Hopefully you're getting a re-test in 6-8 weeks' time which will lead to a dose increase. Don't forget to fast overnight, leave off Levo and book the earliest appointment of the morning for your blood tests. Keep a record of all your test results from now on, and always have the blood drawn at the same time for an accurate comparison.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

PS - as tea contains flouride, and the milk contains calcium, it should be kept well away from your Levo.

Milpol profile image
Milpol in reply to SeasideSusie

When you say ' well away ' Seaside Susie, what do you mean? I'm a green tea drinker, so no milk, so that's not an issue.

I'm a night time snacker too, but the middle of the night loo trip, is a great idea. Many thanks again for your invaluable advice 😘

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Milpol

25mcg of levothyroxine is a low dose. Normally it is 50 to start with with 25mcg increments every six weeks. I'd make an earlier appointment if you develop more symptoms.

Milpol profile image
Milpol in reply to shaws

Thanks Shaws , I will. To be honest, I'm so relieved to have been given anything, that right now I'm prepared to ride it. But I will keep my eye on it. Thanks 😘

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Milpol

I know exactly what you mean by :

I'm so relieved to have been given anything, that right now I'm prepared to ride it.

I was the same - just to have a 'name' to my symptoms plus a prescrip.

Milpol profile image
Milpol in reply to shaws

Exactly! There have been times when I've thought my symptoms were in my head and that maybe that's how everyone felt ! Well just glad to be starting on the road to recovery. Thanks again Shaws .

SophieBella profile image
SophieBella in reply to shaws

I was told to start on 100mg straightaway! Which I ignored and started on 50mg for a week, then 100mg.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to SophieBella

I always think we should be cautious. 50mcg is the usual starting dose but some do get prescribed higher, I assume if TSH is very high.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Milpol

It probably doesn't apply to green tea, but I'm not really sure.

Is there flouride in green tea?

[Calcium, as a supplement, would have to be taken 4 hours away from Levo, but as milk wouldn't contain the same amount as a supplement that amount of time might not apply - but as you don't have milk your green tea that doesn't apply anyway, just info for anyone it may apply to.]

I have a very small tray on my bedside table and when I go to bed I put a glass of water plus my tablets on it, so when I go to the loo I just take them then.

Milpol profile image
Milpol in reply to SeasideSusie

Thanks. A great idea, will do exactly the same. Great advice from you again. Bless you 😘

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Milpol

:) You're welcome. Let us know how things go.

Milpol profile image
Milpol in reply to SeasideSusie

Will do .πŸ‘

spongecat profile image
spongecat in reply to SeasideSusie

I'm afraid all camellia sinensis of both Chinese and Indian varieties will uptake fluoride from soil.

Unfortunately green tea has about the highest levels whilst white tea, the lowest.

Rooibos tea was rumoured to be fluoride free because it's technically not a tea plant but more like a type of broom. However I have heard that this plant can uptake fluoride as well. :(

The only ones that are "fluoride safe" are herbal infusion teas.

Milpol profile image
Milpol in reply to spongecat

On no !!!! Thanks for that info. I guess I will have to start looking for something different to drink. Thanks spongecat 😊

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to spongecat

That's worth knowing spongecat - filed away in the memory box :)

I've never been a fan of tea, can very occasionally manage a very weak one, probably a good thing!

spongecat profile image
spongecat in reply to SeasideSusie

I've gone a bit potty on herbal teas, I've probably got about 15 different ones all lined up and some of the boxes are so pretty. :)

In the morning, other half usually shouts up the stairs, "What would you like today? Old sandal and lawn clippings?".... :D

I particularly like a herbal cuppa before bed, nice and soothing, especially the camomile. Some do have a rather strange smell or first taste that blooms into something quite pleasant.

I love Pukka's Three Ginger tea.....very warming!

Milpol profile image
Milpol in reply to spongecat

Thanks spongecat for those 'tea' recommendations. Will go to shops tomorrow and get a few to try. β˜•οΈ

Stourie profile image
Stourie in reply to SeasideSusie

I think that most teas grow in fluoride rich soils. About 8 years ago I changes to rooibos tea and then found out it was the same but I still drink it.

Jo xx

Milpol profile image
Milpol in reply to Stourie

Thanks Jo , yes you have a good point. And I guess, until you want to be really strict about it, it's very difficult to avoid fluoride altogether! Thanks xx

Raventhorpe profile image
Raventhorpe

Glad to hear, your on the road to recovery.i set my alarm 1hour before getting up and take my levo then go back to bed, leave an hour after taking levo before drinking tea or coffee.

Milpol profile image
Milpol in reply to Raventhorpe

Thanks Ranenthorpe, that's great news. At least I won't have to give up my favourite cuppa. 😊

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

You say you take beta-blocker......which one?

Is it propranolol, this can/does interfere with thyroid function. If you have to take it, take it as far away from Levo as possible

Milpol profile image
Milpol in reply to SlowDragon

I take Bisoprolol ( think it's one of the newer ones ). Thanks will take it as late as I can. Many thanks.

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