HELP

[Kimbley28]

Hi all I’m new to all this only got diagnosed a week ago and I’m all confused as the docs just give u your meds and expect u to get on with it what’s everyone else’s affects of a underactive thyroid

[Claire2868]

you have to be very patient. The meds don't work over night and the GP might have to increase the meds in 6 weeks. Have you been told to go back for another blood test in 6 weeks?

[Kimbley28]

Yeah 4-6 weeks he said but I also got told my white blood count is slightly up and my liver enzymes are slightly up and I think it’s got me stressing a bit even tho the doc said she’s not overly concerned. Did u not have much of a appetite

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you add your blood test results members can advise. Did GP also test Thyroid antibodies?

Also vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 are often too low especially when first diagnosed

What dose of Levothyroxine have you been started on? 50mcgs is standard starter dose

We have to start and increase slowly. The body needs time to adjust.

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.

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...

list of symptoms

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

[Kimbley28 in reply to SlowDragon]

I don’t have my blood test results she just said liver and white were slightly increased and I’ve started on 50

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kimbley28]

You are legally entitled to copies of your results. It's always recommended to get copies and keep good record of dose taking etc at time of each result

You may be able to view test results online - ring and ask about this. If you can then apply for online access to your account. All GP practices are supposed to offer this, in reality very few have blood test results available online.

If not then ask for print out of recent tests. Pick up in a day or two. They may make a nominal charge for paper.

You need to know results for TSH, FT4 and FT3.

Do you also have high thyroid antibodies? You need to know. Did GP test these? If not ask that they are tested at next blood test

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Again ask that done at next test if not done already

If you have high antibodies this is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

[Claire2868 in reply to SlowDragon]

I am glad you mentioned brand as it seems some of my symptoms have increased since my box states new formula

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Claire2868]

Are you in France? Or UK

[Claire2868 in reply to SlowDragon]

The uk

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Claire2868]

So you have same brand as previous, but it has new formula on box

Which brand?

France has had mega issues with only supplier changing formal, hence my wondering if you were in France

sciencemag.org/news/2017/09...

[silverfox7]

Have a look at the Thyroid Uk site. They run this forum. The site has loads of useful info which you probably don't know so it's a steep learning curve but it does take time to get everything in place. Nothing acts quickly in the Thyroid world so patience is needed. But check the site out and shout out if anything you don't understand.