Hi I am new, how long does it take to feel undermedicated on levo? I have been getting problems with focusing vision, tiredness, bags under eyes, bowel really slowing down. I take 25mcg levo diagnosed 2012. Thankyou
TPO antibody 1000 IU/mL (<34)
Anti tissue transglutaminase antibody 2 IU/mL (<1)
Have you only ever been on 25mcg or have you recently had dose reduced to T3 started and then stopped?
Can you post recent results including vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 including ranges and say what supplements, if any you are taking
It's highly likely you are extremely under medicated. The standard starter dose is 50mcgs and bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change. Dose increased by 25mcgs steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range
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
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
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then 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)
Ask GP to do blood test for coeliac before changing to gluten free diet
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...
I had dose reduced since I feel sick and stomach feels empty on more than 25mcg. Have never been on T3 before. I was taking 150 before reduction to 25 thankyou
Blood test for coeliac abnormal
Blood test suggests coeliac, you must have endoscopy within 6 weeks to confirm, can not change to strictly gluten free diet until after endoscopy
Push to get a date for that ASAP as your gut can not start to heal until strictly gluten free
Why was dose reduced? And by who, GP or endo
Highly likely due to low vitamin levels
What supplements are you taking. What are vitamin test results and ranges
Here is post where Low vitamins causing low TSH high FT4 - endo incorrectly insisted on dose reduced. Plus advice on how to address
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
How long since dose was reduced? Get urgent on the day appointment with any GP insist on full Thyroid testing and vitamins if not already done
Print this list of symptoms off, tick all that apply and take to GP
thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...
See Box 1. Towards end of article
Some possible causes of persistent symptoms in euthyroid patients on L-T4
You will see low vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 listed
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...
Thankyou my endo reduced my dose and it was reduced 10 weeks ago, will post vitamin and mineral levels now
Central hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroid
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroid
