I'm new to this I'm a 43 year old mother of 2 and was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism in April I have been taking Levothyroxine 50mg for approx. 11 weeks my initial TSH level was 17.5 when I was diagnosed it has since come down to 6.5 on my last blood check so my question is why do I still feel awful? my GP says it is a slow process for everything to return to normal he said it can take up to 6 months before I feel completely better!! I feel tired all the time I am constantly lightheaded & dizzy I have been suffering panic attacks and I'm really starting to feel fed up to the point I think I'm depressed these are just a few amongst many symptoms is this normal or am I going crazy? I just want my life back!
any advise, suggestions would be welcome
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sarahstevo1974
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Can you post full results, (including ranges) from your recent blood test. How long had you been on 50mcg when test was done?
All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take your Levo in 24 hours beforehand, delay and take straight after
Has you GP also tested vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin. If so please post these here too. If not been done ask if they can be. Very common to be low and these can prevent us being able to use thyroid hormones in cells
Do you know if you have had your thyroid antibodies tested to see if Thyroid is autoimmune (also known as Hashimoto's) If not, ask that antibodies are tested. If you have Hashimoto's then vitamin levels are even more likely to be low and we often have hidden food intolerances- most common being gluten.
50mcg is starting dose, it will almost certainly need increasing in 25mcg steps. The aim is for TSH to be in lower part of range, normally at least below 2. GP's often tend to under medicate.
Thanks for your reply I don't have my full results the GP did show me at the time but I was feeling so awful I didn't really take much in and as I'm new at this I am totally confused all I could remember is that my 1st blood test in April my TSH was 17.5 and in June it was down to 6.5 I have to have a repeat August and if it is still the same GP said he would change dose to 75mcg
As far as I am aware he tested TSH & TPO (which I believe is antibodies) but am unsure of the result on tpo I don't think he tested for vitamin deficiency
What I have learned is that I need to pay more attention and ask more questions
Ask your surgery for a print out of your test results. You are legally entitled to them under the Data Protection Act although there may be a small charge for paper and ink.
Thanks I will do that should have done that in the first instance but was just glad I got a diagnosis so didn't ask too many questions it's only now 11 weeks later and still feeling awful that I'm realising there is more to this than just a simple daily pill
Will Defo be paying more attention and asking questions in future!
sarahstevo1974 When you had your retest and your TSH was 6.5, did your GP increase your dose of Levo?
What is the reference range for your TSH, I am assuming that you are still over range.
The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it is needed for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges if that is where you feel well.
As your GP says, it is a slow process. After diagnosis retesting should be 6-8 weeks later, an increase of 25mcg, another retest 6-8 weeks later, another increase of 25mcg, and so on until you feel well.
When having thyroid tests, always book the earliest appointment of the morning, fast overnight (water allowed) and leave off Levo for 24 hours (take after the blood draw). This ensures the highest possible TSH which is needed when looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction.
Take Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, with water only, and away from other medication and supplements by two hours (four hours for some).
Have you had Thyroid Antibodies tested?
Have you had vitamins and minerals tested - Vit D, B12, folate, ferritin? These all need to be optimal (not just in range) for thyroid hormone to work properly.
No he didn't increase my levo said he would look at it on next test did test for antibodies but not sure what that result was and don't think he checked vitamins etc.. will ask bout these next time and I've been taking levo first thing before eating just wish I could see an improvement totally taken over my life!!
sarahstevo1974 a TSH of 6.5 is over range, no TSH range goes that high. So your GP should have increased your dose then and there. He hasn't got a clue.
Thanks for your reply good to know all this is normal for a moment thought I was going mad I now no I need to ask more questions so I can understand better!
How recently was the last blood test? Normally you are tested and the dose increased each 6 weeks. This really can be a very slow process but if your doctor hasn't assessed and dosed according to guidelines it can be even slower.
My last blood test was in June 6 weeks after diagnosis I was taking 50mcg of levothyroxine and GP said to retest in 8 weeks (August) and left me on 50mcg he said he would increase dose after next test if TSH still high
Ring surgery and say you will be popping in next week to collect print out of last blood tests. They are not allowed to refuse. If they ask why you want them, just say for your own records, which is true anyway
Or if you have registered for online medical records, you may be able to see blood test results on there. But not all GP practices have this sorted yet, though they should have done.
Once you get results come back here and start a new post and members can advise.
Important to know if you have antibodies, autoimmune thyroid. Also called Hashimoto's
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Will I ever feel ok again?
Will I ever feel better? 
will i ever feel alive and well again
Help me please will I ever feel like myself again
Will this ever end? 
