Help and Advice Required

[Lewisboy]

I am a Type 1 Diabetic and I have had an underactive thyroid for over a year now. My last blood test was July 2017. My T4 was 14.4 and TSH was 7.1. I was on Levothyroxine, but it didnt make any difference. I constantly feel weak in my arms, always tired and my memory is poor. My next blood test is at the end of October. I'm hoping I have got worse, so the medication will help. Any advice for me?

[Treepie]

It looks like you are undermedicated but you need to have the ranges which are shown in brackets for advice as lab ranges differ. Also state how much levo you are on and any changes.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You are under medicated, the aim is to take high enough dose for TSH to come down to around one.

Dose increases are in 25mcg steps, retesting after 6-8 weeks

How much are you taking and how do you take your Levo

Always take on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime

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

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and if taking Levo don't take it in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after.

Also do you have Hashimotos also called autoimmune thyroid disease, diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies? You need to know.

Did GP or Endo ever test these? If not ask that they are tested.

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of hypothyroidism in UK is due to Hashimoto's.

Hashimoto's very often affects the gut, leading to low stomach acid, low vitamin levels and leaky gut.

Low vitamins that affect thyroid are vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. If they are too low they stop Thyroid hormones working. Have these been tested, if not ask that they are.

Always get actual results and ranges on all blood tests

[Lewisboy]

Hi thanks for your reply. I'm currently not on any medication. I was on levo, but after 6 weeks I had a blood test and it made no difference.