GP stopped my levothyroxine: Hi I am new, my GP... - Thyroid UK

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GP stopped my levothyroxine

artlover32 profile image
5 Replies

Hi I am new, my GP stopped my levothyroxine 100mcg and T3 10mcg based on below results for hypothyroidism diagnosed 2012

August 2017

TSH <0.02 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 20.6 (12 - 22)

Free T3 5.5 (3.1 - 6.8)

And these results have now come back

November 2017

TSH 8.3 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 13.8 (12 - 22)

Free T3 3.0 (3.1 - 6.8)

Is it ok to go straight back onto 100mcg levothyroxine and 10mcg T3 which was what I felt well on?

Thank you

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5 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

artlover32 I agree with reallyfedup. You should never have had your Levo and T3 stopped. As you are taking T3 then presumably an endo is in charge of your dose of meds, so what is your GP doing meddling? It's your endo who should be changing things not your GP.

So what does your GP intend to do now with those November results? You should be restarted back on Levo definitely, but as to whether you can go straight back onto your old dose of Levo/T3 I don't know, it depends how long you've been off them. Your endo is the one who should decide.

artlover32 profile image
artlover32 in reply toSeasideSusie

Hi endo is in charge of dose and he has also stopped my T3 and I have been off the meds since August

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toartlover32

artlover32 If your doctor has stopped all your thyroid meds because of these results

TSH <0.02 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 20.6 (12 - 22)

Free T3 5.5 (3.1 - 6.8)

then it is time to find a new one.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with those results and if you felt well then 100mcg Levo plus 10mcg T3 was right for you.

Your endo prescribed T3, it would actually be nice if he knew how T3 worked and what results would look like when taking it. Taking T3 lowers and often suppresses TSH - so no problem with your TSH then. Both FT4 and FT3 are well within their ranges - so no problem there. So absolutely no reason to stop or even adjust your medication.

As you have been off your thyroid meds for 3 months, I would be wary of starting back at the same dose. I would suggest, as SlowDragon has said, restarting at 50mcg and gradually build it back up, but it is your call. And as she also mentioned, your nutrient levels have probably taken a battering so they now need testing, maybe supplementation is needed, and you need to know if you have high antibodies, because then you'll have to deal with Hashimoto's as well.

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Artlover2,

I suspect your GP thought you were overmedicated because TSH is suppressed at 0.02. You weren't overmedicated because FT4 and FT3 were within range. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email dionne.fulcher @thyroiduk.org if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

It will be fine to resume 100mcg Levothyroxine and 10mcg T3.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

You probably have absolutely dire vitamin levels now. Have you had vitamin D, Folate, ferritin and B12 tested in last month? If not ask (different) GP to do so

Would suggest you start on 50mcg Levo and see how you go. You may find you can step up to 75mcg in 4-6 weeks

Very very unlikely to be able to tolerate adding T3 until TSH is near 1 and vitamins checked and supplementing if required (very very likely)

Assume you have Hashimoto's? High thyroid antibodies

Your GP absolutely should NOT have stopped your Levo. You're lucky you don't react severely

Endocrinologists (and GP's) have no idea how to read blood test results on T3. TSH is almost guaranteed to be very low (suppressed) but as long as FT4 and FT3 are within range you are NOT over medicated

When T3 is stopped suddenly (100's turned up here in similar situation) then vitamin levels tend to crash right out

Before adding T3, endo's need to check vitamin levels and advise serious levels of supplements first.

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