newly diagnosed

[racj]

Peroxidase 375 (<34)

TSH 38.8 (0.27 - 4.20)

Free T4 10.7 (12 - 22)

diagnosed Nov 2017 and taking 50mcg, not sure what my tiredness and joint pains are caused by, GP didn't tell me.

any idea when I will feel better? GP said it will take a while.

thank you in advance

[Whitney2017]

Hello! You're tpo is high, showing that you have hashimoto thyroiditis. Have you been referred to an endocrinologist can I ask?

Your tsh is high and will require adjustments to your levothyroxine dosage to bring down. I think they have to raise your dose of levothyroxine slowly to give your body time to adjust.

Your thyroid affects everything from hormones, weight, mood and if not working properly can cause fatigue, aches, pains, depression.

This site is a good source of support. Hope this helps x

[racj in reply to Whitney2017]

hi

not referred to endocrinologist

thanks

[Spareribs]

Hi racj

As Whitney says above.

But I'm not sure if these are your initial tests or if you've been re-tested - usually after 6 weeks or so.

Also wondering if the "tiredness & joint pain" were before or after 50mcg levo, which is a starter dose & probably not enough. It usually takes at least 6 months to get the dose right, you can help yourself by testing/sorting vital minerals e.g. iorn/ferritin, B12/folate & vitamin D (joint pain) - also take your Levo away from tea/coffee/milk & first/last thing with water only & 4 hours away from supplements. J

[racj in reply to Spareribs]

hi

Initial bloods are the ones posted

iron etc been tested

thanks

[Kalicocat]

All of my joints were extremely painful and I had tendonitis/bursitis in my elbows. Most joint pain left after 3 months on levothyroxine but my hip pain didn't leave until 3 months after my last dose increase, so 7 months after starting treatment. Hopefully yours will get better once your TSH reaches a normal, stable level.

[crimple]

Make sure you get another blood test as soon as possible, you will need an increase in dose. Ask for TSH, T4, T3 also Vitamin B12, Vit D, folate, ferritin and iron. As soon as you have the results post them on here for further advice. Since your antibodies are high it is recommended you try a gluten free diet. You are likely to have absorption problems and therefore low VitD and low B12 and iron.

Everything needs to be at optimal level to get maximum benefit from the levo. Blood tests every 6 weeks and dose increase until TSH is one or less.

[racj in reply to crimple]

hi

iron etc been tested

thanks

[shaws Administrator]

Yes, it will take a little time but your doctor has to raise your dose by 25mcg every six weeks until your TSH is 1 or lower. Some stop when the number is just inside the top of the range. This isn't right.

When you understand that it appears that all doctors/endocrinologists haven't the least idea how bad we feel when our thyroid hormones are low. These hormones run our whole metabolism from head to toe and if deficient we suffer. You can tick off your symptoms below and all should be relieved when your dose is optimum.

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

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges for your own records and post if you have a query.

The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower and FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the range (the latter two are rarely tested but are important and members get their own test if necessary).

Did your doctor also test for thyroid antibodies? B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate? If not ask for these too as everything has to be optimum.

Levo should be taken first thing with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating. Food interferes with the uptake of hormones. Some prefer a bedtime dose, therefore you must have last eaten about 3 hours before and miss this dose if having a blood test next a.m. and take afterwards and at night as usual.

Thyroid UK

[racj in reply to shaws]

hi

thyroid peroxidase antibodies 375 (<34)

iron etc tested

thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You are ready for blood test. Bloods are always rechecked 6-8 weeks after any dose change.

Highly likely you are ready for dose increase. Levothyroxine is Increased in 25mcg steps, retesting after 6-8 weeks each time. Increases continue until TSH is between 0.2 and 1 and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

Levothyroxine is not a medication, but a replacement thyroid hormone. It is, in all but a very rare exception, a medication for life (like insulin)

As result you are entitled to free prescriptions

Your 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 stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels stop Thyroid hormone working

If too low, they will need supplementing to improve so that Levothyroxine can work properly

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...

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

[racj in reply to SlowDragon]

hi

iron etc been tested

thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to racj]

Ferritin needs to be above half way in range

Vitamin D around 100nmol

B12 at least above 500

Folate not too near bottom of range. Works with B12

Supplementing advice from SeasideSusie to low levels

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...