After taking Levo incorrectly for a few months ... - Thyroid UK

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After taking Levo incorrectly for a few months (I️ took it with Iron tablets...) I️ started taking it the proper way finally.

youngDavinci profile image
11 Replies

How long until I see the effects of taking it correctly?

Was confused why I️ was losing hair so fast and realized it was the Iron messing with the Levo,

How long does it take for the new changes to take effect? Thanks! Btw you guys are awesome; thanks for helping me.

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youngDavinci profile image
youngDavinci
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11 Replies

It may take a while but not really sure. Didn't your Endocrinologist or GP tell you not to take anything else at the same time as your Levothyroxine?

Weren't you being monitored ?.When was your last Thyroid function blood test done and do you have any results you would like to share for comment? What dose Levothyroxine are you on?

youngDavinci profile image
youngDavinci in reply toMary-intussuception

Well my last test was in October and the dose she put me on was 50mcg, after 100, and 75.

From Mid October till January I️ was taking it very at inconsistent times and with iron, and other supplements.

Also, my next test is in 6 weeks so I’m hoping things will be good by then.

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply toyoungDavinci

So what are you on now 100 or 75mcg? Or 175mcg?

If you are not coping with taking at night, would it be easier to take early morning 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast . Then take iron pills with lunch.

youngDavinci profile image
youngDavinci in reply toMary-intussuception

Whoops bad grammar, I️ was first on 100, then 75, and now 50.

And it seems that taking it at night is working I️ think I’m not sure how I’m supposed to know the Levo is working.

Just want my hair back :(

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply toyoungDavinci

So when did you last have blood tests ??

Why has your dose been reduced?

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply toMary-intussuception

ps

I meant - where are your blood tests results ( include ranges in brackets)

youngDavinci profile image
youngDavinci in reply toMary-intussuception

August 2015:

TSH: 5.97 (this was just a regular blood test) this is the time I️ should have started beginning to take Levo, they never told me anything.

March 2016: TSH 2.8 (they thought this was normal) again no medication, but at this time my hair was already going away) Still pissed they didn’t see something was wrong with my thyroid.

May 31st 2017: TSH: 7.7, Thyroid Peroxidase: 7

(Again, STILL didn’t tell me something was wrong, no medication. I️ went through 2 years of college through constant hair loss, anxiety, mood swings, just terrible)

Finally they put me on 100mcg Levo/Synthroid in July 2017

October 2017: this is when they blood tested t4

TSH : 2.7

T4: 1.49

That’s all my blood results related to my thyroid

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply toyoungDavinci

Your TSH is still too high, the aim is 1 or below but many doctors make the mistake of believing that if the TSH is low that we will have heart problems or osteo but these are myths, perpetrated by the Endocrinology for some unknown reason to me.

We want a very low TSH of 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the range and it is a pity they do not test the latter two which many members get through a private lab then they know exactly where they stand.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply toyoungDavinci

When levo is working, you begin to feel much better and symptoms are resolved.

The fact that your hair is disappearing might mean you are not on an optimum dose. We need our FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the range but these are rarely tested.

They shouldn't really mess about with dose adjustments as we will rarely feel well and I suspect it was because your TSH was lowish, they reduced dose and then reduced again to try to bring your TSH up. This is not the way to treat patients.

Are you in the UK or USA?

Are these the only blood tests you have ever had?

Isn't it about time that you had your symptoms fully investigated? Also:

Why are you taking iron pills if you have never had Minerals and Vitamin levels tested?

Have you been given any diagnosis?

You could ask your GP for the following blood tests :

FreeT3, FreeT4; T3; T4; TSH

Also:

Vitamin D, Calcium, B12, Folate; Ferritin and Full Blood Count.

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply toMary-intussuception

ps

Please include normal ranges in brackets following each blood test result. Clearly ranges and labs vary. Your T4 looks extremely low but without the range it's impossible to comment.

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