Test results advise please

[Emits]

I'm alternating 75 and 100 levo. Latest results show:

Tsh 0.07 (0.35-5.5)

Ft4 13 (10-19.8)

Do I need an increase?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Emits How do you feel? If you feel well then you are on the right dose, numbers don't matter.

If you don't feel well, then there is plenty of room for FT4 to be a lot higher in range.

Be aware that your TSH is under range and your GP could well be TSH obsessed (ie doses by TSH only) and refuse an increase.

[Emits in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks, no I don't feel well at all. Will ask for an increase then.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Emits]

Emits Just in case he is not keen to increase your Levo due to your TSH level, be prepared.

From ThyroidUK's main website > About the Thyroid > Hypothyroidism > Treatment Options:

"According to the BMA's booklet, "Understanding Thyroid Disorders", many people do not feel well unless their levels are at the bottom of the TSH range or below and at the top of the FT4 range or a little above."

That book is available on Amazon for about £4.95.

Also:

"Dr Toft states in Pulse Magazine, "The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

Dr Toft is past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist. You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing [e-mail] print it off and highlight question 6 to show your GP.

Good luck!

[Emits in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks!

Is it likely for 100 to be to much? That would be an 12.5 increase.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Emits]

No, an increase of 12.5mcg is very small. Increases are usually done in increments of 25mcg. You may not feel much benefit with an increase of 12.5mcg unless you are very sensitive.

[shaws Administrator]

How we feel is the most important question. If you have cliical symptoms you aren't yet on an optimum but the doctors only refer to the TSH alone and if you are syptomatic may prescribe another prescription for the symptom rather than an increase, or testing your FT4 and FT3.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

[Emits in reply to shaws]

Is it likely for 100 to be to much? That would be an 12.5 increase.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Emits]

We cannot tell beforehand if an increase will be 'too much'. So take pulse and temp before you increase, several times a day for a couple of days. Begin your increase. If you feel you are getting overstimulated, check pulse/temp. If either goes too fast/high, drop dose slightly.