Hi I'm new. I was prescribed Teva levo 50mcg for hypothyroid. Endo said I would absorb it better since I am lactose intolerant but latest bloods show that I'm not absorbing it.
Diagnosed 2012.
TSH 5.2 (0.2 - 4.2)
FT4 14.7 (12 - 22)
FT3 3.3 (3.1 - 6.8)
Thanks
I am also having the same issue. Have you checked H pylori?
Negative for H Pylori
See my reply and Nanaedake to similar post
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Get your previous brand of Levothyroxine
Endo did not want to start me on full 150mcg dose with Teva because he was worried my results may go overtreated so reduced me to 50
What an idiot, obviously no idea about thyroid then. Probably a Diabetes specialist
Fancy reducing dose by 100mcg.
You need immediate 25mcg or 50mcg dose increase.
Highly likely to have extremely low vitamin levels now too
As GP to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
How long since dose was reduced?
Do you have Hashimoto's?
Dose reduced 9 weeks ago, bloods from before Christmas 2017. I presume I have Hashimotos.
TPO antibody 366.3 (<34)
TG antibody 276 (<115)
Either Levothyroxines are all bioequivalent or they are not. If they are not interchangeable then Endo should not swap you to a different formulation. Clearly he thinks they are not interchangeable if he decreased your dose. For some reason Endo's seem to think TEVA is something special because it was marketed lactose free. Lactose intolerant people have been taking other levothyroxines for years apparently. Tell Endo to read MHRA 2013 review of Levothyroxine. They are all meant to be bioequivalent
If you are now not getting enough Levothyroxine you will feel ill. Endo should read up about levo instead of chopping your dose or consult someone more knowledgeable.
In patient experience levothyroxines are not all the same. Most people find only one or two formulations suit
If you have fluctuating blood test results on old formulation of levothyroxine it's more then likely due to antibodies. Has Endo tested them? Symptoms are likely due to low nutrient levels caused by poor absorption common with Hashimotos and hypothyroidism. Probably nothing to do with lactose.
So, it isn't that you are not absorbing it, it is because your dose is way too low - you need to go back to your previous dose and find a new doctor with more of a clue.
EmmaT116,
Your results show you are undermedicated to have TSH 5.2 with FT4 and FT3 low in range. You do not have an absorption issue. Dose should be increased.
The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.2 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email dionne.fulcher@thyroiduk.org if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your endo.
Endo said results on 150mcg Actavis levo showed poor absorption
EmmaT116,
Yes, but s/he reduced dose by 2/3 when he switched you to Teva and now you are undermedicated and need a dose increase to 75mcg - 100mcg. He didn't want to switch you to 150mcg Lactose-free Teva in case absorption improved and you become overmedicated.
Can you add what your results were on Activis
Probably just under medicated, plus Hashimoto's and coeliac
So that dose was probably too low also. Endo sounds like a complete endoknob. If you are not absorbing levo, end should have ordered vitamin and minerals tests and tested for coeliac, not lowered your levo dose and given you a brand that lots of people have problems with. Studies show that liquid levo is better absorbed, so ask for that if you think absorption is a problem.
Also high tissue transglutaminase antibody, GP not sure what it meant. 4 (<1)
It means you are likely coeliac and need further testing
Make an appointment with GP to be referred for endoscopy
It's more likely your Hashimoto's and severe ridiculous dose reduction combined have badly affected your gut
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 affect 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
Ask GP for coeliac blood test first
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Reducing your dose will have made everything a lot worse
Endocrinologist obviously has zero knowledge of Hashimoto's. You might consider putting in a complaint
Also iron deficient and folate deficient and vit D deficient and b12 deficient with high anti tissue transglutaminase antibody
Can you post actual results and say what GP is doing about each and what has been prescribed
Well, you won't absorb or convert anything until those problems have been solved. What is being done about them?
Trouble absorbing vit d3
Not absorbing vits
Levo.
Taking levo
