Hi first post

[kerryanne8]

When can thyroid levels improve on 25 mcg thyroxine diagnosed 2012 symptoms are tiredness muscle aches depression headaches weight gain thanks

TSH 7.3 (0.2 - 4.2)

FREE T4 13.6 (12 - 22)

FREE T3 2.7 (3.1 - 6.8)

[greygoose]

As we're always saying, levels aren't going to improve on 25 mcg. It's lower than a starter dose. Have you been on 25 mcg since 2012?

[kerryanne8 in reply to greygoose]

Yes

[greygoose in reply to kerryanne8]

Then your doctor has been extremely negligent! He should have retested you after six weeks, and increased your dose by 25 mcg; and repeated that process until your TSH was down to one, or under, and your Frees up near the top of the range. Now, your FT3 is under-range, so hardly surprising you have symptoms.

You should lodge a written complaint about that doctor, with the practice manager, and find a new doctor who knows something about thyroid.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Kerryanne

If you have been on 25mcg Levo only since 2012, then it's time for you to find another GP, one who knows how to treat Hypothyroidism.

The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it is needed for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges - see thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... > Treatment Options:

"Dr Toft states in Pulse Magazine, "The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

Dr Toft is past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist. Email [e-mail] for a copy, print it off and highlight question 6 in support of your request for an increase in dose. 25mcg immediately then retest in 6-8 weeks followed by another increase of 25mcg. Repeat retesting/increasing every 6-8 weeks until your levels are where they need to be for you to feel well.

Always book the very earliest appointment of the morning for your blood test, fast overnight (water allowed) and leave off Levo for 24 hours. This gives the highest possible TSH which is needed when looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction.

[Jazzw]

The short answer to your question is “never”.

25mcg of levo is never going to make you feel well. Sadly, it seems you have a doctor who knows diddly squat about hypothyroidism.