Hi I have been hypothyroid for about 7 years now and been on 75mcg of levothyroxine.But for no apparent reason a couple of weeks I started to feel a bit strange as in disorientated then losing my patience very quickly.Then came the extreme tiredness,tears the painful muscles and the trembliness.I went for a blood test and my levels are up she said.So she has upped me to 100mcg a day which this is my 3rd day on that.I feel a bit brighter today but still not the best.I have never had to increase a dose before. Will it be okay or so I have any effected from this and how soon before I pick up.I don't understand why after all those years it just changed.
Hidden It would help if you posted your test results, with reference ranges, so members can comment. Previous and current ones would be good so we can see why your dose was increased. In the UK we are legally entitled to a print out of our test results under the Data Protection Act.
It's quite common for Levo to need increasing and 75mcg is little more than a starter dose anyway so quite surprising that you were taking that 7 years after diagnosis.
Any increase in dose will take up to 6 weeks to be fully effective. You should be retested then to see where your levels lie. It's normal protocol to retest 6-8 weeks after any dose increase. When having thyroid tests, always book the earliest appointment of the morning, fast overnight (water allowed) and leave off Levo for 24 hours. This gives the highest possible TSH which is needed when looking for an increase in dose or trying to avoid a reduction. It also means that conditions are the same each time so results can be compared accurately.
Get copies of your last test results. It's a good idea to always ask for copies and keep good record of the results plus dose you were on etc.
Do you know if you have high thyroid antibodies ? Have they ever been tested. If ever high then this is Hashimoto's or autoimmune thyroid disease. (About 90% of UK hypo is autoimmune)
The Thyroid can slowly pack up over time, so a dose increase is not uncommon. Also as we age or approach menopause etc dose can need to change
Your doctor should have given you a blood test form for retesting 6-8 weeks after dose change
It takes at least this long for the thyroid dose increase to slowly build up.
It would also be good idea to check vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 too. Common to be too low as side affect of thyroid and may need supplementing. Always test first before starting any supplements
All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This keeps TSH as high as possible
Hi Thank you all for info.I will ask doctor tomorrow for a printout of my results.7 years ago I did start on 50mcg then 75ncg I found that was my level and apart from the odd few times it has suited me until now.Mine Is autoimmune.I started with a 3 monthly check then 6 monthly and then it went to an annual check which has been fine.I was checked for vitamin d this time and they said that was fine.
I have never been told to leave levo off before a test that's all new to me or not to eat.
Can you tell me if you just rest up or carry on as normal.Ive had no choice the last few days to rest bit feel a bit brighter today.But don't want anything to affect a quick recovery.
Hidden If you have autoimmune thyroid disease, aka Hashimoto's, then have you ever read up on it? Do you know that the antibodies can fluctuate and cause fluctuations in symptoms and test results and may cause swings from hyper to hypo and back again?
To help reduce the antibodies, many members here have found that adopting a strict gluten free diet helps, also supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help, as can keeping TSH suppressed.
As for any test results, never accept 'fine', normal' 'OK'. Always, always get the results printed out, with their reference ranges, and see for yourself. You can always post them on here and members will interpret them for you.
Most of us here in the UK have low Vit D levels and just because they come somewhere within the range doesn't mean they're optimal. So do post any results you have and if you are deficient or have low levels then suggestions can be made for supplements.
Besides Vit D, it's also helpful to have B12, Folate and Ferritin tested. All vitamins need to be at optimal levels for thyroid hormone to work properly.
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Thank you for all the info. I will certainly look at the links and get my results and post them on here.When I say they were fine as in I felt really well and have done until this latest episode.
What's your advice on resting whilst like this or carry on as normal as possible.Thsnks again.
Thanks also for heads up on replying first time on this .
Never accept *fine* or *normal* - what they mean is you are in range. Where you are in range is KEY for wellness😊 VitD needs to be around 100. So obtain the results ....
I was upped to 100mcg on friday from 75.But had to go back doctors yesterday as I had a headache, trembliness palpitations and diarreha. A case of too much thyroxine so been put back down to 75mcg which has suited me all these years.When I look at my levels over the years I have been the above level and above before but it has not affected me.
Very strange.
I've been told to try coconut oil so will give that a go.
If levels are only mildly off, or if vitamins are too low you can feel extremely unwell.
That's why it's important to try to learn as much as possible about Hashimoto's, and always get copies of results and very importantly the ranges too (figures in brackets after each result)
You can read people's profiles, you will see many have had uphill struggle to get correct treatment. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood by many medics
It is only in recent years that the connection between Hashimoto's, poor gut function, gluten intolerance and low vitamins has become more understood.
In large part due to key individuals in USA such as Izabella Wentz, Amy Myers, Chris Kresser
Thank you.I will be reading up about it.Also I will post my results when I get them tomorrow.
• in reply to
So year results are tsh 5.6
Ts4 16.9
Went back the Drs yesterday as the 100mcg was too much for me so back down to 75.To go back in 2 weeks.Ive been told to give coconut oil a go.Do will be trying that.
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