Hi all. I am still in the first stages of treatment with levo. Started taking 50 on 1st june and will not have another blood test until early September.
I have also been started on metformin 500 ,going up to 1000 in a couple of days.
Ihave been reading that metformin can interfere/lower tsh levels. Does anyone know anything about this? Would the metformin make.much difference?
Many thanks.
I do not know about thyroid levels - but have read that it can effect the uptake of B12 - which in my book is a serious matter 😊
As others have pointed out, 50 mcg is a starting dose and you should be retested no later than six weeks after starting levo.
I took Metformin for a few months four years ago, but was already on NDT back then which is known to suppress the TS (because of the T3 in it). I don't see, though, how Metformin would lower the TSH, unless it somehow raises FT4 levels...but that does not make sense to me. Metformin lowers blood sugar levels, and should not affect thyroid hormone levels or the TSH in any way.
There was a link to this article in a previous post:
livestrong.com/article/4990...
It seems levo can make Metformin work less well, not the other way around...
Thankyou all. Very interesting. I did go to the surgery to ask to be tested sooner but was told that this was the correct time between tests. I even took the nice guidelines along. Made no difference. We also have to wait at least 5 weeks for an appt with a gp, but I am seeing a practice nurse at the end of july.
Iwas told that I was hypothyroid in a phone call, told to have an ecg and then start taking levo. Thats it. Everything else I have learned has come from theinternet and wonderful people like all of you.
What would you suggest I do about trying to get a quicker test? The surgery mentioned something about gp guidelines for england. Cannot find these on the web, anyone heard of them?
Many thanks
Berberine (herb, otc) is supposed to work as well as metformin: 1500mg daily, 500mg with each meal. It certainly has lowered my blood sugar levels.
I can only agree with you. Since going on Berberine (500 x 3) a couple of years ago, I have lost 20 kilograms effortlessly and am now back to my pre-thyroid failure weight. NDT alone was not enough for me in that respect and, after I was diagnosed with insulin resistance (fasting insulin and blood sugar levels in range but close to upper normal limit) I understood why, as insulin is a fat-storing hormone.
My story is very similar 
My fasting glucose levels and glycated hemoglobin levels were still "in range" but not ideal, and close to the upper normal limit but I was very symptomatic. I was having awful hypoglycemic attacks at night, couldn't sleep, couldn't lose weight in spite of being on T3-only. I'm losing weight on berberine: it has been a God sent
Is it any special make of Berberine Kitten1978 please?
Any good quality berberine will do. I buy mine in my local health food shop but there will be plenty on the internet e.g. amazon, iherb .Take care x
Thanks, Kitten1978 .
Hi.
Can I ask you what make of Berberin you take.
Also, I take it you use this instead of Metformin.
Thank you.
Hi - just a quick question on this as I am due to go back for my first retest. I normally take levo at 6 in the morning so are you saying don't take the levo on morning of blood test and have a fasting test as Doctor told me It didn't need to be fasting? Sorry for jumping in on this thread 😱
Instead of taking your Levo at 6am that day, go for your blood test-book an early one, & then take the Levo when you get back.
Yes, it does need to be a fasting test, in order for you to get true readings. Most gps say it doesn't have to be!
I take Metformin & Levo. I personally have seen no difference at all.
When you stay on Levo, you need to have regular blood tests every 6-8wks, until you reach the right dose for you.
Hello Kentoldlady,,,the times of taking these medications,,,levo is usually taken at night going to bed,,,and the metformin is taken after meals,,,I take both of these medications for type 2 diabetes and underactive thyroid,,,,, and I am coping well with both medications taken at these times,,,I am also on the site called MediGuard,,which allows you to input your meds and conditions,,and will show the interactions,,,between the meds you take,,,but don't be alarmed all medications could have interactions,,,but your medications are for the treatment of the conditions,,,my list on mediguard would make your hair curl,,,,rest take your meds and notice how you feel,,any worries ask your gp or a helpful chemist,,,,hope this has helped a bit,,,ttfn from karen.
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