Diagnosed hypothyroidism in may. Put on 50mcg levo. Retested in July (also tested for antibodies which are positive) my tsh had come down but that was all GP tested not T4 or T3 like my first lot of bloods.
Anyhow I was starting to feel better so felt the levo was helping.
Now I feel awful again already! Tiredness in full swing, sleeping in the day, cannot keep myself awake, not ideal with 4 kids and a job! Swelling in my hands, carpal tunnel, feeling cold all the symptoms I had before but also this awful nausea all day long.
I've spoken to the GP, I said this last 2 weeks I've felt worse. She said to retest again in another 2 weeks as it can take 4 weeks for your blood work to change if there's been a change in the thyroid? Anyone know about this?
Also my last retest I didn't miss a dose or do a morning fasting test like I've read on here which I will do next time.
I am new to all this so I had assumed I'd just be having my annual bloods and be feeling a bit better at least! I have started to go gluten free, as of Monday just gone,to see if this makes any difference.
My b12 and vit d are on the low side but in range. I have been supplementing these.
Thanks
K
Written by
KymS
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This is a bit vague. July is more than two weeks ago. When was your dose increased? What are you taking now? Four weeks is too soon to test.
The protocol is : start on 50 mcg, retest in six weeks, increase by 25 mcg. Repeat process until all symptoms gone. But, very few doctors respect that protocol - doubt if they even know about it.
It is perfectly normal to feel well after a dose increase, and then feel the symptoms creep back in again. All it means is, that you're going to need an increase in dose.
As a general rule, give as much information as possible : dates, doses, results and ranges are essential to make sense of things.
Your doctor should have increased your dose in July, because your TSH was still too high, even without results for the FT4 and FT3. However, once the TSH goes below one, it becomes irrelevant, and you really do need the Frees tested. I think your doctor is probably going to need some prompting, there! She doesn't seem very clued up.
I think she's making that up! I've never heard of that before. Tests should be done six weeks after the initial dose, or any change in dose. She's probably just trying to save money for the practice by not retesting too soon, or something.
The six weeks is important as it takes that amount of time to get a new dose and then a change of dose fully into your body. So at the moment you may not even be feeling any benefit yet. Also when things do start to improve then it's temping to do those jobs that you haven't had the energy to do. Be kind to yourself I till you are nearer to the level that's right for you as extra exercise too soon can deplete the important T3.
When you think you are feeling well gain and still doing TSH results only then post your progress etc and we will give further advice it it looks necessary then.
I should have said welcome to the forum! Thyroid Uk run it and if you look on their site you will find lots of info of how to manage your condition. Anything you don't u derstand then shout out and you will get help. Remember we have all been their and have welcomed advice.
Hope you soon feel better but remember things in the Thyroid world take time so patience is needed as you can't successfully speed it up but you have already taken the first important step by being diagnosed.
Always get a printout of your results and put your currect dose on them so you can see your progress and ask for help by post them and the ranges and we can comment. The ranges are very important as they differ from lab to lab so without them we would just be guessing.
Most people feel better with a TSH around 1 or under. So a dose increase would have been appropriate. Without the FT4 and FT3 it is difficult to confirm that.
Your results in May were not too bad for FT4 and FT3 so am thinking it is the LOW Ferritin - B12 and VitD that are the cause of you feeling unwell. How are you treating the levels currently ?
As you have Hashimotos you may feel an improvement by going gluten free - many do. Lots of books and websites about living with Hashimotos - so have a google and see what appeals.
Thanks slow dragon, on day 4 of no gluten. Hoping this helps! Thought I'd struggle as I love bread but I just keep thinking of the benefits to my health
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Confused. Again.
TSH level in early (weeks 4-5) of pregnancy?
Increased Levo, now feel awful again
Can I challenge GP, if so, when?
