Higher dose?

[Jen_xo]

I was born with congenital hypothyroidism, currently take 125mcg a day. For the past 17 and a half years, frequent hospital visits and lots of blood tests seemed normal to me. For a while now I've been feeling very low, anxiety and depression are currently taking over my life. I am tired most of the day and very cold when everyone around me is warm. I also have been gaining a bit of weight even though my eating has slowed down. Very irritable at the silliest things. Basically most of the symptoms of too little thyroid hormone.

I visited the doctors in September (start of October maybe) and got blood tests, the doctor never got back in touch so i assumed i was just to take the same 125mcg. If i go back to the doctors and they tell me I'm fine, i'll leave feeling the same, and get worse. Is it safe to up the dose yourself or should i not risk it?

[Marz]

Do you have copies of your latest results with ranges ? You are legally entitled to them. It would help members to help you 😊

Have you had tested the following - B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD. All need to be optimal for you to feel well and for your Levo to work.

How do you take your Levo ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

With congenital hypothyroidism you probably don't need the antibodies testing, but I am not 100% sure

See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3 tested, but it's essential

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, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

Link about antibodies

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

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Print this list of symptoms off, tick all that apply and take to GP

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

See Box 1. Some possible causes of persistent symptoms in euthyroid patients on L-T4

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

You are likely to need a small dose of T3 in addition to your T4. This can now only be prescribed by an endocrinologist

Email Thyroid UK for list of recommended thyroid specialists [e-mail]

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

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.