Needing Advice Please

[Huddy1234]

Hello all,

I'm on a small dose of levothyroxine 25mg and take it about half hour before tea and porridge every morning - I know this isn't ideal but I have to be up at 5.30am for work so the thought of getting up any earlier doesn't appeal - and I also can't leave the house without food so bit of a catch 22!

I researched and found that some people suggested taking it last thing at night which I tried last Friday -? I hardly slept and woke up feeling like I'd been out on the drink!!

I'm 45 and work full time and my biggest symptom is tiredness and fatigue...... foggy brain and memory loss, the weight gain hasn't come to me (YET).

Any suggestions or advice gladly welcomed xx

[Anthea55]

Welcome to the forum, Huddy1234

Can you give us some more information please.

How long have you been taking levo ? 25mg is a starter dose. It should be reviewed after 6 to 8 weeks and increased a little at a time, so another 25mg up to 50, then review again etc until your blood results are optimal.

Blood test results - do you have these? Post them here with ranges. If you haven't got them ask your surgery to print them out for you. If you are in the UK you are entitled to them. Don't be fobbed off with 'in range' or 'normal'.

It's also important to have vitamins and minerals tested. If these are deficient your body can't use the levo and convert it to T3 which is the active form.

Learn as much as you can about thyroid problems. A good place to start if the Thyroid UK website

thyroiduk.org/index.html

[Huddy1234 in reply to Anthea55]

Hi Anthea,

Many thanks for your reply.

I've been on medication for 2 years and have since had a blood test and was told that all was fine so no further appointment needed.

I called my doctors yesterday to have some more blood tests so will definately ask for a copy of these results and post them.

My biggest symptom is tiredness/fatique - I can quite easily fall asleep at any time of the day (obviously not possible as work full time) even after having a full nights sleep.

I'm just wondering if my dose is being absorbed enough due to my breakfast situation - but did try and take it before bed last Friday and woke up feeling rubbish.

I will look at the link you kindly provided too - thank you.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Huddy1234]

Your dose is far too low. 25mcg is an incremental dose with 50mcg as a starter. I doubt you benefit from 25mcg.

Your doctor is another who has failed his patient as he has been poorly trained. So don't go back to him and see another doctor who, hopefully, has some knowledge.

I understand about the inconvenience of taking T4 (levo) as you go to work.

Wait till you get a new blood test before attempting to change times.

The blood test has to be at the very earliest possible and fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards. If this is inconvenient you can have a private home blood test (finger pinprick) from one of our private labs. Make sure you are well-hydrated a few days before you draw blood.

Ideally you need TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

GP should test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Post your results with the ranges on a new post for comments. Ranges are important in order for members to respond.

[Huddy1234 in reply to shaws]

Hi Shaws,

Thak you for your message.

I will hopefully get some blood tests done in the next couple of weeks and will ask for my results to be printed off and then post them here.

I have a feeling I will need to up my medication as don't feel like it's having any affect.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Huddy1234]

Dose is too low to have an effect.

T4 is inactive - a prohormone - it's job is to convert to T3. T3 is the only Active thyroid hormone and is required in our billons of T3 receptor cells. With such a low 25mcg dose, it is impossible for you to have sufficient T3.

[Huddy1234 in reply to shaws]

You know your stuff - I will do some more research on this T3 and T4.

Is it best to have bloods taken first thing in the morning if possible?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Huddy1234]

I've copied from above re tests:

The blood test has to be at the very earliest possible and fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards. If this is inconvenient you can have a private home blood test (finger pinprick) from one of our private labs. Make sure you are well-hydrated a few days before you draw blood.

Ideally you need TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

GP should test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

[Huddy1234 in reply to shaws]

Many thanks - really appreciate it

[shaws Administrator in reply to Huddy1234]

Remember to follow the routine for a successful blood test, ie.. early a.m. fasting etc etc.

[greygoose]

How about taking it two or three hours after breakfast? Would that be possible? Just with a glass of water. Or mid-afternoon? It doesn't matter what time you take it, as long as your stomach is empty, and you wait an hour before eating or drinking.

[Huddy1234 in reply to greygoose]

Hi Greygoose,

Thanks for your message.

I actually hadn't thought of that - late afternoon is a possibility then as eat my lunch by 1ish and don't have dinner till around 6.30/7pm weekdays.

Many thanks

[greygoose in reply to Huddy1234]

You're welcome.