Change of dose - levothyroxine

[Tabitha6]

Hi,

My last blood test showed T4 23.7 whilst taking 125 levo daily. Dr advised reduction to 125/100 alternate days 2 weeks ago. Any advice on how long the reduction will take to improve symptoms of headache and feeling exhausted. Almost feels like I am under-medicated, not over. Wonder if iron tablets will help. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Without testing FT3 your GP can't tell if you have conversion problem

Do you have Hashimoto's, high thyroid antibodies.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common especially with Hashimoto's

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

If vitamins are low then can't use thyroid hormones, bloods appear to show over treatment but you remain hypo

Most/many medics have no idea

See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3

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

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

See vitamins listed here

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

[Tabitha6 in reply to SlowDragon]

Very helpful, thank you.