Is it likely to feel dose difference

[lisan1]

Is it likely to feel more tired on days when you take a lower dose of levothyroxine compared days when you take higher dose? (I take different doses to get the right amount per week)

[shaws Administrator]

That must be difficult taking different daily doses. Some people take their whole weekly dose once a week.

thyroid.org/patient-thyroid...

[lisan1 in reply to shaws]

Oh, it's not really. I just take a lower dose every fourth day. I just started this and feel so tired on the days when the dose is lower.

[shaws Administrator in reply to lisan1]

It puzzles me that they've given you a staggered amount particularly as you feel an affect due to the lower dose. In reality you shouldn't have an 'effect' with the lower dose as the dose you take on day one takes about seven days to be fully absorbed and if you didn't take any more hormones it would take about 4 weeks for you to have none left.

When your next test is due, have the very earliest possible appointment, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose and the test and take it afterwards. This is the best procedure and always get a print-out of the results with the ranges.

If you've not already tested B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate ask for these to be done at the same time.

[bantam12 in reply to lisan1]

I take different doses but don't notice anything from day to day.

[Sybilla14]

This has been my experience exactly. I was on 100mcg for 6 weeks and my ft4 blood level was over range, I increased to 125mcg for 4 days and a couple of days later I experienced high heart rate/pulse one night - interpreted this as my dose being too high (the gp also had suggested alternating 75/100 based on bloods, naturally). So I decided to try alternating doses - the days when I was on 75 I felt flat and tired, ok back on 100. I was much better when cutting the pills to 87.5. My GP didn't quite believe it and I doubt this is something ever looked at by researchers do you're unlikely to find anything as the general belief is that a dose takes weeks to take effect.

[helvella Administrator]

I was on 100 a day - and it wasn't quite enough. I tried 125 a day - and it was too much. I tried alternating 100 and 125 and, while it felt more or less the right dose, it was uneven.

I found some 12 tablets and went to 112 a day. That seems significantly better.

This flies in the face of much theory, and contradicts the experiences of many.

We are all different. We each have to follow our own experiences and adapt to our needs.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Not vey likely as thyroxine is slow acting. But you might be just on too low a dose over all and be feelng the effects of the previous low dose (especially if you take a lower dose about once a week)