Yes, I think you're undermedicated too. 50mcg is a starter dose but I don't think that's your primary problem. I think you may well have low vitamin levels as some of your symptoms may be attributed to lack of nutrients. Have you had them tested?
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change and dose increased by 25mcgs. Waiting further 6-8 weeks before retesting
This repeats until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range
Your vitamins are far too low.
You need loading dose of vitamin D, then likely maintenance dose of 2000iu or possibly higher. 800iu is not enough for a mouse.
Ferritin so low you likely need iron infusion
B12 tested for Pernicious Anaemia before starting B12 injections
This is all due to incompetence on GP part, not increasing your Levo dose
Suspect you have high thyroid antibodies?
If not been tested ask that they are
If high this is Hashimoto's or autoimmune thyroid disease
Make urgent appointment with different GP. Ask for 25mcg dose increase in Levo and correct treatment for these vitamin deficiencies. With blood test form for retesting in 6 weeks. Likely to need further increase(s)
See SeasideSusie reply to similar low vitamin levels
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing louise.roberts@thyroiduk.org print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor.
You need stepped increases, 25mcg at a time. Retesting after 6-8 weeks.
Until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range
You have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease- diagnosed by high antibodies
With Hashimoto's, until it's under control, our gut can be badly affected. Low stomach acid can lead to poor absorption of vitamins. Low vitamin levels stop thyroid hormones working.
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood
You need to learn to manage this yourself. Most GP's and endo's are out of their depth
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Results help please
Results help please
New here help with thyroid results please
Unexplained symptoms advice needed please
