Underactive thyroid

[Jennifer25]

I have had radio iodine capsule and am now under active feel terrible aching, severe cramp in my legs, brittle nails, flaky skin hair loss but gp says I'm under 5.0 so I'm fine before all this my level was 1.5 what WILL happen if I stop taking the 100 gm of levothyroxine

L

[Raventhorpe]

Hi Jennifer 25, so sorry to hear you are feeling so unwell, is the under 5.0 your tsh? Have you got any bloodtest results you can post on here so we can help you. As you had Rai was that due to having graves if so your tsh needs to be low 1.0 or below and t4 needs to be in top quarter to convert enough t3 to feel well. Those of us who have been hyper for a long time very often need a suppressed Tsh to feel well, strongly suspect your gp is just dosing you on your Tsh alone and keeping it in middle of range which is keeping you hypo and making you unwell.don't stop taking your levo as that will make you feel worse you probably need increase in levo but we need to see bloodtest results to be sure. Also important to get b12, ferritin, folate and vitD checked as we are very often low in these and that can have impact on your health. I do know how you feel as had Rai myself 7yrs ago and was feeling very ill due to being hypo and not getting right medication.the people on here are very knowledgeable and will help you.

[Jennifer25 in reply to Raventhorpe]

Thank you for your quick reply I WILL be told my results on Monday

[Clutter]

Jennifer25,

Your TSH needs to be under 1.0. The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 1.0 or lower with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

If you stop taking 100mcg Levothyroxine your thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) will drop and your TSH will rise. You may feel a little better for the first few days but around 7-10 days your symptoms will become very much worse.

For muscle cramp supplement magnesium citrate, use magnesium oil spray on your legs and soak in Epsom Salt baths. Take magnesium 4 hours away from Levothyroxine.

[Jennifer25 in reply to Clutter]

My blood test results which were taken on the 13/6/2017 are as follows can you please explain if these are ok

Pathology Investigations

Serum TSH level 1.6 miu/L [0.2 - 4.0]

Ideal T4 replacement therapy indicated by TSH 0.2-2.0 miu/L

[Clutter in reply to Jennifer25]

Jennifer25,

Most people will feel better with TSH 0.2 -1.0 so there is scope to increase dose if you are stil feeling unwell.

[Jennifer25 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you I will ask my gp to increase my Levothyroxine

but he says I will be at risk of an heart attack

[Clutter in reply to Jennifer25]

Jennifer25,

He's wrong. Please read the link I posted in my first reply and ask Louise for a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

[Jennifer25 in reply to Clutter]

I'm sorry I can't find the link I'm not very good on the laptop

[Clutter in reply to Jennifer25]

Jennifer25,

It's in my reply to you 3 months ago - the 3rd reply down in this post.

[Jennifer25 in reply to Clutter]

I take Lansoprazole, atorvastatin for cholesterol and low dose aspirin as I had a stroke 15 years ago do any of these effect thyroid treatment ?

[Clutter in reply to Jennifer25]

Jennifer25,

As long as you take them 2-4 hours away from Levothyroxine they shouldn't affect absorption of Levothyroxine.

[Jennifer25 in reply to Clutter]

thank you

[Jennifer25 in reply to Jennifer25]

My new results

Serum TSH level 2.1 miu/L (0.2 - 4.0)

Serum Free T4 level 9.7 pmol/L (10.0 - 20.0)

Are these ok

Thank you