Increase thyroxine ?: Hi with my results... - Thyroid UK

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Increase thyroxine ?

Lisa63 profile image
8 Replies

Hi with my results .somebody on here the other day said I’m def not over medicated..so as I’m feeling quite bad and have done since thyroid removal .i have never been on higher then 125mg..which I’m on now ...would 150 a day be to much?

Much ? Regards

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Lisa63
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shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

Your TSH is nearly 2 and we usually feel better when it is 1 or lower. Many doctors are happy when it's somewhere in the range but we aren't.

When we increase/decrease it is by 25mcg.There's no Free T3 in your test and I don't know why they miss this very important one out as it is T3 which is the driving force of thyroid hormones.

I am sorry you have no thyroid gland which makes it more important to know your Free T3. My own personal opinion and having my thyroid gland, is that those with no gland at all should be given a combination of T3/T4. It is difficult these days to get a combination dose but the doctors should be far more sympathetic to suffering.

I hope your increase of 25mcg levo helps you feel better.

cjrsquared profile image
cjrsquared

Not necessarily, post TT I was put on 150 mcg with the suggestion it might need to be higher. Your ft4 is in the upper part of the range but of course it is low t3 at cellular level that gives rise to hypo symptoms. It would be helpful to have both ft4 and ft3 to see how well you are converting. There is some thought that those without a thyroid do better with some additional t3 but it is very difficult to get prescribed on the nhs at present.

jimh111 profile image
jimh111

Lisa, Going to 150 mcg would probably put your fT4 above 22.0 which is not a problem in itself but tends to lead to the production of 'reverse T3' which inhibits the action of T3, the active hormone. So it might be counterproductive, more likely have little or no effect.

As suggested already your doctor should consider prescribing some liothyronine (L-T3). Unfortunately a GP is not going to do this as they are more or less told not to. I would seek a referral to an endocrinologist. I assume you did see one when having your thyroid removed, it might be easier and quicker if you ask them directly whether you can have another appointment as you are not doing well. This might be much easier that going through your GP, there's nothing to lose so I'd give it a try.

Do you know if the cause of your hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's disease, aka autoimmune hypothyroidism? It's very common, and often requires a below range (suppressed) TSH in order for the patient to feel truly well. The idea behind this reasoning, an unconventional doctor once explained to me, is that the TSH is what makes the immune system react...the body has started to perceive the thyroid gland as an invader that needs to be destroyed, and when the pituitary gland produces TSH, that signals to the body to start making thyroid hormones...this in turn makes the body produce more antibodies against the thyroid, thus perpetuating the inflammatory process. So, if you have Hashimoto's disease, it may mean that you need your TSH to be below range to feel truly well and rid yourself of all symptoms.

Hashimoto's is diagnosed by measuring antibodies against the thyroid (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobuline levels.

Lisa63 profile image
Lisa63 in reply to

Hi thanks for reply .i have no idea if I have that ..all I know is I had my thyroid out 4 years ago due to numerous nodules ..I’m going back to my Doc tomorrow as my symptoms have not improved .i asked her for t3 test but she said labs normally refuse .but if I go back still feeling like I do and have done for 4 years ,she will ask if they could test ....only think in bloods that came back .is low vit d which I am taking supplements ..just didn’t know whether to try going up to 150mg? Would that lower tsh to 1 where people say you normally feel better ...my hair is coming out a lot more then it normally does ..and just don’t feel right in myself ...regards Lisa

in reply to Lisa63

Yes, an increase in dose normally lowers your TSH as well as increases your FT4 levels.

Lisa63 profile image
Lisa63 in reply to

Do you think it’s worth chancing a rise in dose of 25. Or will it taje me to high in t4 .

in reply to Lisa63

I think not. But even if it does, it's not a disaster to have a slightly out-of-range FT4 as T4 is pretty inactive on its own, its main purpose being to be converted to T3.

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