Newly diagnosed

[Zaraj778]

Hi I am a newbie I am newly diagnosed with an underactive thyroid gland and I am taking 25mcg of levothyroxine. When can I start to see an improvement please? Symptoms are sleeping throughout the day, coldness to skin, numbness in legs, aching in backs of legs, low libido, constipation. Thanks

Serum TSH 31 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.20)

Serum free T4 10.3 pmol/L (12.0 - 22.0)

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 278 kIU/L (<34)

[cjrsquared]

25 mcg is only a very very low starting dose ( normal starting dose 50mcg). You should have repeat blood tests at 6 weeks and then a rise in medication until TSH is low in range. It can take 6-12 months to get stable on medication. Did you also have antibodies tested.? If they are raised you have auto immune hypothyroid, also known as hashimoto's disease. You are at the start of a journey, lots of info on this site, I hope your doctor raises your meds soon and you start to feel better.

[Zaraj778 in reply to cjrsquared]

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 278 kIU/L (<34)

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

When you go for retest in 6 weeks make sure to go as early as possible in morning and fasting. Don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test. Delay and take straight after blood tests

You have Hashimotos (high antibodies)

The Thyroid Pharmacist website has lots of info about Hashimotos including why you may find gluten free diet helps

[Hidden]

With your TSH at 31 you have a long ways to go to get that level down. As mentioned already your starting dose is fairly small at 25 mcg. We have our dosage increased in 25 mcg increments so your next one will only be 50 mcg. (Most of us start on a 50 mcg dosage).

With your next set of labs ask that you have nutrients tested also. So they are ferritin, folate, Vit D and B12. They form an essential part of our treatment and often show as deficiency due to malabsorption/gut issues. When we are deficient it affects how well we do (or don't) convert our dosage, and contributes to ongoing symptoms. Many here adopt a GF diet in an effort to better fight the high antibodies that also inhibit conversion.

The forum is a great place to learn, ask questions and gain insight that we simply do not get from our GPs, so welcome and good luck.

[Zaraj778 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for this I have results of vitamins and minerals but don't know what to do next.