The advice is a TSH of 1 or below and a Free T4 and Free T3 towards the upper part of the range but these two are rarely tested. So it all depends upon how the patient feels. If well and no clinical symptoms they are on an optimum dose.
If they still have symptoms they need more thyroid hormones.
I think your GP should have increased by 25mcg levo as you've been on 100mcg for a while. The aim is a TSH of 1 and as regards the T4 result it would have been preferable if he tested Free T4 and Free T3 as you don't know how much T3 is circulating and that is the only Active thyroid hormone which is required in our T3 receptor cells. T4 has to convert to T3.
Well just left GP's he will not increase my dose and no more action apart from a retest in 3 months. Totally ignored the fact I have hypo symtoms and was very concerned about me going hyper with any increase.
Sorry about delay in replying. 12 weeks is far too long before next test. They talk a lot of rubbish about hyper, we cannot be hypo and hyper at the same time. What can happen is we're given too much (rare) we will have unpleasant symptoms. They quicker you realise they know very little you will get better by asking questions and reading and learning posts on this forum.
You can drop a note into his surgery and say you are now a member of the NHS Choices for information/advice on dysfunctions of the thyroid gland, Thyroiduk.org.uk and have been advised that your TSH should be 1 or below and that yours is too high which are probably the reason your symptoms aren't resolving.
You can get your own Free T4 and Free T3 blood test from one of our private labs. They don home pin-prick postal tests and on Thursday one does special offers and you may be lucky.
I agree with Shaws that your GP should have raised your dosage, I hope you explained you still have the symptoms?
Have you had any other tests for Ferritin (Iron), B12 and Vitamin D as these all go hand in hand with thyroid problems and often present similar symptoms. They are often on the very low scale and you might have to start supplementing yourself especially as the doctors won't do anything unless it is below their scale.
I started on 100 and my GP upped it by 25, also after I asked for the extra tests my Vit D was off the scale, and I also needed a boost of iron to bump that up. I'm now supplementing B12, Vit C, Vit D and Magnesium, plus eating a lot more liver to keep my iron intake up.
One of the main benefits I've found since being on Levothyroxine is the weight lost = I've lost over 2 stone in a year and I'm eating some bad stuff l but not putting on any more.
Whatever the results are, they should be discussed with GP/Doctor before stopping a dose even if too high. Remember NOT ALL patients are the same!
You can then, if necessary reduce over a week once prescribed new lower dosage.
Insist on 25mg units to help you do this.
I was stupidly put on 150mg by my witch doctor, and from lethargic and tired I went Hyper, their suggestion was 50mg!! Fortunately I still was in contact with surgeon who had removed part of thyroid, and he contacted the witch doctor stating I needed to be dropped 25mg over 2-3 weeks and checked again. Repeat this every 2-3 weeks until stable.
Finally on 75mg over the last 10 years.
Must admit I do not pay too much attention to the finer detail in bloods, rely more on my own symptoms and those noticed by family. And even though have relocated, still got a witch doctor who is almost as bad.
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.
Yeah may need T3 checking privately, still need to beg the doc again for vit D, I think alot of mine was stress related with military then my own company and only sleeping about 5 hours a night, not working now and sleeping min 8 hours with less stress so this may be improving things as well, 9 months off cigs and exercising 3 times a week also gluten free 3 months.
Also 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. Teva especially has seriously upset some, but others prefer it.
Well just left GP's he will not increase my dose and no more action apart from a retest in 3 months. Totally ignored the fact I have hypo symtoms and was very concerned about me going hyper with any increase.
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