Hi when can I expect an improvement in my symptoms? I seem to have felt unwell for about 10 years before diagnosis. Been taking levo for 6 weeks. I am tired and have no energy and have constipation and headaches every morning. Thank you
TSH 33 (0.27 - 4.20)
Free T4 10.1 (12 - 22)
Free T3 2.7 (3.1 - 6.8)
TPO antibody 274 (<34)
If you've only been recently diagnosed then it's probable that you have a small dosage of levo. currently and that you'll be tested again every 6 weeks when your dose will be increased or tweaked until you find the right level of hormone replacement for you.
Were those the results when you were diagnosed or your recent ones after 6 weeks of levo? What is your current dosage?
Thanks for reply, they were the results of when I was diagnosed and my current dosage is 25mcg levothyroxine.
OK, 25mcg is a very cautious initial dosage (it's more typically 50mcg) so I'm assuming that your GP has a reason for that. The dose tends to be increased in increments of 25mcg until you reach a stable state that suits you - and this can take some trial and error.
An appropriately-medicated hypo patient tends to find that they stabilise with a TSH that is <1 as that is typical when you need FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges for a patient who is taking Levo.
Do you have a follow-up blood draw booked for a 6 week review? Is the appointment for your blood draw as early in the morning as practical? Many people advise that you fast overnight (water allowed) and make sure you do not take Levo for 24 hours (take it with you if necessary and take it after the blood draw). This gives a good chance of catching the highest reading of TSH in your day which can be useful when assessing the need for an increase or (later) to avoid a reduction in dose. SeasideSusie describes this as a patient to patient tip which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists. 
When you had your diagnosis, did you have any other blood tests done that you can share with us? There are x2 types of antibodies that can be tested but it seems you only had one (tho' it is above the range). Did you have any vitamin and mineral tests - iron panel, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin D? If you have the results, can you post them with their reference ranges, please?
Thanks I haven't had a follow up blood test so will ask to book myself in to have this. TPO and TG antibodies were done the year before, TPO antibodies 78.5 (<34) and TG antibodies >1300 (<115) vitamin and mineral results will be posted
OK, that clarifies it then - the antibody levels indicate that you have Hashimoto's (the commonest root of hypothyroidism) and that tends to be arm in arm with various mineral and vitamin deficiencies, as you probably already know to your cost.
You'll see for yourself that your initial TSH was high above the range and that both your FT4 and FT3 are below their respective reference ranges.
You can read about treatment options and usual levels for people who take levo. if you scroll down to to SeasideSusie 's very helpful explanation here: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
newly diagnosed
Newly diagnosed
Newly diagnosed
Newly diagnosed Hashimoto
