Newbie

[Ellie779]

Hi diagnosed hypothyroid 2011 when will I feel better on 50mcg levothyroxine thank you

[shaws Administrator]

I doubt you will every feel better on 50mcg of levothyroxine. It is a starting dose with 25mcg increments every six weeks until TSH is 1 or lower.

Do you have copies of your latest blood test results, with the ranges. If so post them for comments. If not ask surgery for a print-out and we are entitled by LAW to have them.

The aim of taking levo is to bring TSH to 1 or lower with FT3 and FT4 towards the upper part of the range but these two are rarely tested why I don't know. You also need Thyroid Antibodies tested.

We have to read, learn and ask questions if we want to recover our health but to do so we need thyroid hormone replacements at an optimum.

[Ellie779 in reply to shaws]

TSH 9.3 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 10.7 (12 - 22)

Free T3 2.1 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO antibody 840.5 (<34)

TG antibody 277.3 (<115)

[Clutter in reply to Ellie779]

Ellie779,

You are very undermedicated. GP should raise dose to 75mcg and in 4-6 weeks to 100mcg to raise FT4 and FT3. Thyroid levels should be rechecked 6-8 weeks after dose was raised to 100mcg.

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.2 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[shaws Administrator in reply to Ellie779]

My goodness diagnosed six years ago and have a TSH well above the range (4.2). Change your doctor he is ruining your health and hope you can find a decent doctor. If not you will have to look after your own health.

You have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease called Hashimoto's - the commonest cause of hypothyroidism due to having antibodies. Going gluten-free can help reduce the attack of the antibodies on your thyroid gland.

You need an immediate increase of 25mcg with a blood test every six weeks with a 25mcg increase each time until TSH is 1 or lower.

You feel so bad because the only Active Thyroid Hormone needed in our receptor cells is T3 and should be nearer 6 than below range at 2.

Your FT4 is also too low as it convert to T3 but obviously due to being so low it cannot do so.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ellie779]

Appallingly under medicated

When were these done? Why has GP not increased dose?

Make an urgent appointment to see GP (different one if need be)

Ask for 25mcg dose increase. Bloods to be retested in 6-8 weeks

Vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 needs testing. Very likely far too low and probably need significant supplements

Your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's

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

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

[Ellie779 in reply to SlowDragon]

They were done 5 weeks ago and GP said he will not increase dose

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ellie779]

Can you see different GP

Why won't GP increase dose

You are clearly very under medicated

Are you thin?

It's often much harder for thin hypothyroid patients to get treated. GP's think we should all be fat and 40-60 years old

Many are in 20-30's and very thin

Ask for full testing for coeliac disease

[shaws Administrator in reply to Ellie779]

You have to look for a new doctor as he is putting your life in danger by not providing optimum hormones for your body to function, especially brain and heart.

He is unknowledgeable about the function of thyroid hormones, why they are necessary and you don't want to develop other more serious illnesses due to an ignorant doctor.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Ellie779]

Drop a note into the surgery and say you have contacted Healthunlocked Thyroiduk.org.uk who are the NHS Choice for advice/help with regard to dysfunction of the thyroid gland and have been told that the aim is to get your TSH to 1 or lower once the person is diagnosed as hypothyroid.

You need an increase in levothyroxine to bring TSH to 1 or below.

It's better to write a note as he will dismiss you as he has already.

Or see another doctor.The one you saw doesn't know anything about treating a patient who is hypo and that's why you don't feel well. In other countries we are diagnosed and given levo when TSH is above 3. In the UK it is 10 which is more than ridiculous so you have to read, learn and ask questions.

Your doctor's attitude can lead to you developing other illnesses as everything in our body needs thyroid hormones to function, from head to toe.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you only ever been on 50mcgs? Or has it been higher and reduced

50mcg is standard starter dose. It's should be increased in 25mcg steps retesting after 6-8 weeks until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested?

Do you know if you have high thyroid antibodies?

If you have results (and ranges) add them to this post.

If not been done ask GP to do so

For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

If GP is unhelpful, private tests are available

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results

Link about antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Ellie779 in reply to SlowDragon]

TSH 9.3 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 10.7 (12 - 22)

Free T3 2.1 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO antibody 840.5 (<34)

TG antibody 277.3 (<115)

Always been on 50mcg thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ellie779]

Your GP has been extremely negligent

[shaws Administrator in reply to Ellie779]

I cannot believe you've been on 50mcg all that time. Where do these doctors train as I'm sure quite a few members on here could hold a conference to teach these doctors a thing or two. I think he should be reported for negligence.