Thyroid and tiredness and can't lose weight

[Dvaughan]

Hi I am on 25 mg thyroxine constantly tired find it hard to concentrate. I've been at slimming world 8 years only lost 1 stone weight up and down. Have been doctors about tiredness they keep doing blood tests which come back normal. Am at a loss what to try. Do I need supplements?

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Dvaughan.

We'd need to see which blood tests you've had done and what the results are before we can advise.

'Normal' means results are within range but some ranges are very broad so having optimal results can be important. Ask your GP receptionist for a copy of your recent thyroid and other blood test results and ranges and post them in a new question. Members will advise whether or not you are optimally dosed on 25mcg and whether you need to supplement.

[steviecat]

Hi. 25cgs of Levo is a starter dose. Normally, you start on 25 and are retested after 6-8 weeks to see where your bloods are. It is likely that a raise will be needed at that point. It is not good to stay on a starter dose for very long. Sadly, that is what happened to me because I don't have a doctor; I have a numpty. Your GP says your results are normal? invariably, they won't be 'normal enough'. You are entitled to your results so, it would be a good idea to request them from the surgery and post them here so that the experts can advise.

Ideally, these are the results you can hope for: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Antibodies TPO and TG. (To rule in or out, Hashimoto's).

Probably, these are the results you will get: TSH T4 - maybe Free T4.

Whatever you get, post the results here.

You will also have to consider your levels of: Vit D3, Vit B12, Folate and Ferritin. These are important and must be optimal for hypos. If your GP won't test, then, like many of us, you have the option of going down the private route with either, Medichecks or Blue Horizon (details can be found under 'search') It isn't expensive.

[mb008 in reply to steviecat]

Hi

What happens if you're on a starter dose for too long?

[steviecat in reply to mb008]

Too low a dose over a long period of time can cause the thyroid, which has been struggling to produce enough hormone, to take time out. This can exacerbate symptoms.

[shaws Administrator]

It is a lot of nonsense to tell a patient on 25mcg of levo that their blood tests are 'normal'. You may have realised by now that doctors are usually the worst to consult if we are feeling quite unwell and on the lowest dose possible of thyroid hormone replacement.

You need a decent dose of thyroid hormones until your TSH is 1 or lower with a Free T4 and Free T3 towards the top of the range.

Three words to be wary of regarding tests, i.e. 'fine', 'normal', o.k.

You have to have a new blood test and it has to be the very earliesst possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards.

Ask GP to test the following as you've had advice from the NHS Choices Thyroiduk.org.uk and been advised to have:

TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3, and thyroid antibodies, B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. I doubt he or maybe lab wont do the FT4 and FT3 and if you can afford to have these yourself we have recommended labs that do a home test i.e. pin prick.

Get a print-out from the surgery with the ranges and post on a new question. In the meantime tick off your symptoms and show your GP ask your GP about having the tests above.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...