Am I on the right dose

[Embraer345]

Tsh was 8.6

T3 normal but t4 had started to drop

Specialist prescribed 25mg of Levo

Is this enough?

[Mary-intussuception]

Hi again

We don't start on the full dose. The starting dose is low 25mcg or 50mcg.

And then it's gradually increased in about 6 -8 weeks time. You could ask your GP when it will be increased.

Your TSH is high.

X

🐥

[Embraer345 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thanks Mary

[shaws Administrator]

You are hypothyroid which is a serious condition if untreated. That's why, if in the UK, we do not pay for any other prescriptions regardless for what ails us.

When you go for your next blood test, it should be the earliest possible, fasting and allow 24 hours gap, approx, between your last dose and the test and take afterwards.

Levo should be taken with one glass of water on an empty stomach (usually when we get up) and wait about an hour before eating. Some take their dose at bedtime, in that case you'd last have eaten about 3 hours earlier if the meal contains protein which takes longer to digest.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges for your own records and post if you have a query.

If GP hasn't tested B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate ask for these too as we can be deficient which also cause symptoms.

[Lolowatto in reply to shaws]

Wow I didn't know any of this I'm on 75mg levo and I've been eating breakfast straight after is that effecting them doing their job??

[shaws Administrator in reply to Lolowatto]

Unfortunately, yes. Food can interfere with the uptake of the hormones and coffee is another. Don't worry, we are on a learning curve on this forum as we have to know more than most Endocrinologists or doctors as we do want to have relief of all symptoms.

Many do well on levothyroxine if they can convert it (T4) to sufficient T3 (T3 is the only Active hormone which is required in our billions of receptor cells: the brain and heart contain the most cells).

The aim of thyroid hormone replacement is to relieve all clinical symptoms and have a Free T4 and Free T3 towards the upper part of the range. The TSH is meaningless when we are taking thyroid hormones but doctors appear not to know this fact. They believe that the TSH anywhere in the range is fine, as long as it's not below 1, whereas we need it around 1 or lower to be well.

[Lolowatto in reply to shaws]

I'm taking a sea kelp supplement cos heard that helps ??

[shaws Administrator in reply to Lolowatto]

It isn't recommended to use supplements. It may be o.k. if you weren't diagnosed or taking levothyroxine. It is all a learning curve, unfortunately. This is an excerpt:

A. Using iodine to treat an underactive thyroid gland is controversial. Very few Americans get too little iodine, though your years of avoiding iodized salt may have resulted in an inadequate iodine intake for you. In a case report, a woman who used kelp as an iodine supplement aggravated her thyroid disease.9 Aug 2009.

Another link

peoplespharmacy.com/2009/08...