Blood test

[Noogens24]

hi,

just about to start taking Lego 25 micrograms, after 2 months they want a blood test. What is the procedure,and what blood test should i ask for.

regards

charlotte.x

[Noogens24]

also meant to say i work 12 hours night shifts,8 to 8 am for 4 nights a week,so what time would you take them.x

[Stourie in reply to Noogens24]

Hi, whether I was on night shift or working days I always took my thyroid meds at 10 pm. It didn't make any difference to my staying awake or sleeping when not on nights.

Jo xx

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Noogens24 It doesn't matter what time you take your Levo, just make sure you have a regular routine and take it on an empty stomach one hour before or two hours after food and drink, with a glass of water only.

As for thyroid tests, always book the first appointment of the morning, fast overnight and leave off Levo for 24 hours. This gives the highest possible TSH which is needed when looking for an increase or to avoid a reduction.

It would be good if the following were tested every time, but Highly unlikely

TSH

FT4

FT3

Also useful are

Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies (rarely done)

Thyroglobulin antibodies (almost never done)

And very useful, because we Hypos need optimal levels of vitamins and minerals:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[Saggyuk]

Thyroid meds are increased gradually so they will start you on a dose and then retest 6-8 weeks later to see if need more meds and then repeat until you get to the right levels. They do this as it can take that long for you to feel the full effect of that dose and to show correctly in your blood tests and also because giving too much at once can be a shock to the system