I'm not sure if Levothyroxine is helping

I've been on 25mg for over two months. Due to my age and other medical conditions my doctor followed guid lines of a low starting dose. I've had my first blood test since starting them and due to see doctor in 10 days.

When I first when on levo I felt dreadful for a few days then it seemed to level out. I have certainly not felt better if anything I felt ok before starting them. Now the last couple of days I feel awful, aching all over especially legs, feel a bit sickly too and just generally yuk. Similar to when I first started levo.

I've also noticed I have started putting weight on.

I'm seriously considering not taking the levo but not sure if that's not wise and discuss it with my doc.

I would also like to know what number should my T4T3 be as I have no idea.

Any advice appreciated.

I've actually come to bed to lie down as I feel that crap and I'm not the type to give in to it but it's beat me😕

Thanks Lottie

[greygoose]

I doubt it would help at that low dose. Hopefully, when your doctor sees your blood test results, he will increase your dose by 25 mcg, and not use your other medical conditions as an excuse to leave you on a dose that is less than a starter dose. I could be that your other medical conditions are due to your hypothyroidism. Two months is too long, anyway. Retesting after six weeks would have been better.

There's no fixed number your levels 'should' be. You need them to be at a level that makes you well. For most people, that's when the FT4 and FT3 are somewhere up near the top of the range. But we're all different, so it's dangerous to say we should all be there.

When you see your doctor, don't forget to ask for a print-out of your results. If you live in the UK, it's your legal right to have them.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for reply, my doctor showed me the guidlines for my age etc so I do t think it was an excuse. I felt ok before going on levo just chugging along getting older so I can't say I had major symptoms of hypo, my biggest annoyance was over the years weight gain putting it on easy and I would lose some but to do that I had to eat very little.

I don't understand stand why I feel worse taking something that is supposed to help. Can I just not take it so I feel better

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

Because, taking such a low dose can stop your thyroid producing what little it is managing to produce. So, instead of increasing your levels, it actually decreases them, making you feel worse than you did before you started.

Doctors are so stupid with the so-called 'guide-lines'. They are just that : guide-lines. Not hard and fast rules. He's supposed to use his discretion, and unless you are about 108 with a heart condition, start you on 50 mcg. I doubt he has any idea it can make you worse!

Make sure you eat enough now. No dieting! Because low-calorie diets will make you more hypo, and put on more weight!

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Omg is that what it does now I understand better. I'm not dieting but not eating as not much appetite and nausea due to gastritis.

Thank you for advice🙂

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

You're welcome.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Btw

I don't even know what the range numbers are supposed to be anyway so can you tell me that please

[Treepie in reply to Hidden]

GG was referring to not increasing the dose ,not to the low starting dose which is usual over 50 ish.You may feel worse because the body senses the hormone you are taking and reduces its production.Hence the need for 6-8 week blood tests and increases until TSH is 1 or below.

Labs differ so when posting give the result and the range which s shown in brackets.Ideally FT3 and F.t4 need to be above halfway in the range.

See Thyroid UK for more info.

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

The ranges depend on the labs where the blood is analysed. There are no standard ranges. So, you have to interpret your results, according to the ranges used by the lab where the tests were done.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your Gp should have arranged for repeat blood test 6-8 weeks after starting or changing any dose of thyroxine.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting (can and should drink plenty water) and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after.

Also ask GP to test for thyroid antibodies to see if cause is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

Quite likely to be Hashimoto's as you say you are experiencing gut issues and the gut is often affected by Hashimoto's

Testing levels of vitamin D, B12, folate and ferritin is also good idea as these are common to be too low

Always get copies of all your blood test results including ranges. We have to learn to manage our own condition as thyroid disease is poorly understood

Assume you know thyroxine should be taken on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking but lots find taking at bedtime more convenient and may be more effective

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for info. I didn't take levo the morning of blood test.

I do find it a pain taking mornings as I have another med to take on empty tum so I can't eat for nearly 2 hours. I have mods to take in evening too so it's difficult for me to take of a night due to having no other needs with levo, so I guess I will have to stick to mornings. I'm seeing doc next week. I've also remembered there is a family history with thyroid problems, my paternal nana and aunty and my sister, I noticed it can be family linked

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Some other medications interfere with uptake of thyroxine. What else are you taking

Definitely get thyroid antibodies tested if there is family link

If you have Hashimoto's then read up about how gluten free diet helps very many of us

Extremely important to also check the vitamins I listed

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Ok thanks