THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 8.2 MIU/L (0.2 - 4.2)
FREE THYROXINE 12.9 PMOL/L (12 - 22)
FREE T3 3.2 PMOL/L (3.1 - 6.8)
THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODY 78.5 IU/ML (0 - 34)
THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY 371.3 IU/ML (0 - 115)
Do I need increase in dose taking 50mcg levo diagnosed 2013 have always been on 50mcg thank you
50mcg is generally a starter dose of levothyroxine but we need to see the laboratory ranges next to your results to interpret them accurately. Would you be able to add them? You can edit your post using the down arrow button at the bottom of your message.
Have you been under the care of your GPs for all of that time? Have they performed regular blood tests to check your thyroid levels? And they have advised you to stay on the 50mcg dose? Please add the ranges by editing the post using the v at the bottom. We want to be sure that what we say is based on the facts.
Ranges added, been under the care of GP all that time and thyroid levels checked every 6-8 weeks
Well then: this or these doctors are not looking after you as they should. You have really had blood tests regularly and they have told you no action? Get an urgent appointment with someone else, I only got somewhere by using our neighbouring surgery on the afternoon that mine was closed. Once diagnosed hypo we are better with a TSH around one and you should certainly not have out of range levels for TSH. The frees also don’t look good either. Have you had antibody tests?
Sorry to say all that as well as welcome, but you will get good advice here.
When starting on levothyroxine, the usual starter dose is 50mcg unless very frail, weak or elderly. You should have a blood test every 6 weeks and a dose increase and then retest and adjust dose and so on until you reach a TSH of around 1 or a little lower with FT3 and FT4 in range which is where most people begin to feel well.
Take levothyroxine with a full glass of water and leave one hour until eating or drinking anything except for water. Leave at least 4 hours until taking other medication or supplements.
THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODY 78.5 IU/ML (0 - 34), THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY 371.3 IU/ML (0 - 115) you have raised antibodies showing that you have Hashimotos thyroiditis. You can read more about it on Thyroid UK website.
Your GP should have told you that you needed a retest in 6 weeks after you started on levothyroxine but it's up to you to take responsibility to ensure you book the blood test and chase up results as GP's rarely do. You can register online to view your results, if in England. Ask your GP reception to give you access to blood test results online.
Right now you need a dose increase of 25 mcg and retest in 6 weeks. Your results may fluctate due to Hashimotos antibodies.
Thanks I tried to book bloods and GP say I don't need retest. I chase up results and they again say no action needed
I've copied this from one of the Administrators posts so my apologies to them but I think you need this information to help you sort out your dose:
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, 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)."
Email dionne.fulcher @thyroiduk.org if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP. If your GP still refuses to increase dose see other GPs at the practice or change practice.
Unbelievable, your GP obviously doesn't understand Hashimoto's at all
The point of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range
You are extremely under medicated.
Highly likely to have extremely low vitamin levels as result
Get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested. Post results and ranges if you have them now
Or come back with new post once you get results
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels stop Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...
drknews.com/changing-your-d...
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, 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)."
You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email dionne.fulcher@thyroidUK.org. print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor.
Prof Toft - brilliant article just published
rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...
For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested
See a different GP and get vitamin testing ASAP
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
Blue Horizon test results advice needed
Test results. advice please.
Blood test results - odd ?!? 
Thyroid results
are these test results ok
