Hi, I am newly diagnosed hypothyroid, I was so relieved when I was told that I just cried and didn't listen to any of the blood results, or get a copy (but I will).
I take a few other meds, anti-inflammatories, anti depressants, painkillers etc, twice to three times a day.
GP it was ok to keep taking them all as usual with just a 30 minute gap, but I've seen some people on here recommend a time gap of up to 2 hours.
Can anyone help me clarify?
GP has started me straight off on 100 mcg, stated I have probably had this for some considerable years, and reassured me that my eyebrows would grow back!
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Lozza812
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It's good that your GP has started you off on a large dose, this is the latest thinking but few doctors are up to date. It would be a very good idea to ask for your blood test results and keep a file of them. You will probably find that in time you can slowly come off, or reduce your other medications. I would leave three hours between your levothyroxine and other medicines or supplements, you can take it in the morning or at bedtime. Never have coffee within an hour of taking levothyroxine as it reduces absorption considerably. You should feel better in a week or two but it will take many months before you are back to normal.
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_...
For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with water 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron, vitamin D supplements, magnesium and oestrogen.
It takes 7-10 days for Levothyroxine to be absorbed before it starts working and it will take up to six weeks to feel the full impact of the dose. Symptoms may lag behind good biochemistry by several months.
You should have a follow up thyroid test 6-8 weeks after starting Levothyroxine. Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood draw when TSH is highest, and take Levothyroxine after your blood draw.
Thank you so much, I was totally useless at the Docs. I have suspected thyroid for a long time, but tests kept coming back as normal. Now I've had a few days to think about it I can get organised.
It doesn't help that I'm dyscalculic (dyslexic with numbers) so reading the test results is going to be interesting 😂
If you are in the UK, doctors are told not to prescribe until TSH is 10. Whereas in other countries we'd be diagnosed around 3+ taking symptoms into account. So that's why we are not diagnosed and given thyroid hormones earlier. One doctor in particular stated that we are in a 'parlous situation' due to the emphasis on a blood test rather than symptoms.
No doctor, I believe, knows hypo symptoms as your doctor appears to have prescribed various meds for your clinical symptoms instead of the thyroid hormones you needed. If our T3 is low, we can be 'depressed' because there is insufficient T3 in our bodies.
Levothyroxine is T4 (inactive hormone) only and it has to convert to T3 so we should be given sufficient. We have millions of T3 receptor cells which need T3. Brain and heart need the most.
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