Very Tired. Am I on the right dose of Levothyroxine?

[ChrisS81]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the site and wondered if anyone could help.

I'm 36 and was diagnosed as hypothyroid 2 years ago and put on levothyroxine 50mg.and told my vitamins were low and to take a multivitamin and some chia seeds by my GP. I've been back several times saying I'm still exhausted, even though I've tried my best to eat healthily and go to the gym regularly. I often find myself dropping off to sleep at the drop of a hat in the day and my eyes look really dark. My GP says my results are in range and no further action is required.

I decided to ask for my results this time and would be very grateful if anyone has any advice on my dose of levothyroxine and whether I should take any supplements..

TSH 4.7 (0.4-5.5)

Serum free T4 12.9 (11.5-22.7)

Serum free T3 4.7 (3.5-6.5)

B12 597ng/l (210-910)

Ferritin 115 (24-336)

Vit D 55.8 (50-150)

Folate 6.3 (5.4-24)

Any help would be most appreciated.

Chris

[Mauds]

You seem to be still very undermedicated some that can advise more will definitely answer I can't understand how doctors know so little about thyroid

[ChrisS81 in reply to Mauds]

Thanks Mauds. Both the GPs at my practice are the same :-((

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, ChrisS81.

You are undermedicated to have TSH 4.7 and should ask your GP to increase dose.

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.4 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

VitD is sub optimal. Most people are good with vitD around 100. I would supplement 5,000iu D3 for six weeks and then reduce to 5,000iu alternate days until April and retest. VitD should be taken 4 hours away from Levothyroxine. If you buy on Amazon please use the affiliate link healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

B12 is good but folate is a bit low. You can raise folate by eating more green veg or supplementing folic acid or methylfolate.

[ChrisS81 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks a lot Clutter, I'll make another appointment to see her - another 3 week wait to see a GP who seems to think I'm a time waster... I'll also look at the Vit D and folate.

[Clutter in reply to ChrisS81]

ChrisS81,

If your GP has an 'attitude' you will be better off seeing someone else. This is a lifelong condition and a supportive GP is necessary not someone you have to battle to get proper treatment.

[Hidden]

Hi Chris and welcome to the forum

Do you mean to say you are still at 50 mcg Levo?!! If so this is a red flag immediately as it is considered a "starter" dose only. We are supposed to be tested every 6-8 weeks as our dosage is titrated up until "optimal" levels are achieved in blood rests

First, your TSH is high in the range (it's posted in brackets beside result). Here we aim for TSH of 1 or even less. But your GP clearly doesn't have a clue how to treat thyroid if this is acceptable to them, especially has you've been back with continued symptoms!

Second your free T's (free T3 and T4) are both low in the range - again a sign you are still very under medicated.

Vit d very low in the range so requires supplementing immediately. Member SeasideSusie posts excellent advice on supplementing protocol if you check her profile and read replies.

Do you fast prior to testing (water OK) and leave off Levo 24 hours beforehand? This gives the most accurate results. Do you take Levo on an empty stomach a min of an hour away from eating?

You've come to the right place for great advice and support. The forum gives us an opportunity to get better informed how to correctly treat thyroid, and become proactive about our choices going forward.

[ChrisS81 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Rusty, thanks for replying. I didn't take my levo until after my test, which was at 8.15 am. Must admit, I usually only leave half an hour between taking food and levo.

I have had regular blood tests, mainly at my instigation as I felt so unwell, but my GP just says my dosage is adequate. Thanks again.

[Hidden in reply to ChrisS81]

Your GP is abysmally under-qualified to be treating you or any Thyroid patient. Period.

[Mauds in reply to ChrisS81]

Never go on gp they usually haven't a clue you won't go wrong on this site the help and advice I've been given over the past Three years is amazing I've hashis and can now recognise even before blood tests if I'm over or underactive thanks to the knowledgeable people here who never let me down and they're better than any endo it doc