Just wondering how long it takes to see improvements..? I've been on 50mcg levothyroxine now for 10 days and have woken up feeling awful again.
Currently spending my days resting almost completely because of lack of energy, headaches, sore throats and tiredness...but wake up feeling just as awful the following day.
When am I likely to feel improvements? I hoped I just might feel a little better already...Know I'm probably being impatient but it's been a very long road!
Thank you..
50mcg is a low dose but your body has to get used to it.You should have further blood tests in 6-8 weeks and that determines whether you get an increase.Post your results then with ranges for advice.
It is not a quick fix .I lost some symptoms in a few weeks others took nearly 12 months.
It takes about 3-4 weeks to start to notice improvements, and bloods should be retested at 6 weeks
Nice guidelines saying how to initiate and increase.
cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...
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
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. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased
You are likely to need further increase in dose. Increases should only be in 25mcg steps, retested each time. Until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range
Unfortunately, taking replacements thyroid hormones don't work as quickly as a a pain-relief tablet. This is due to the fact that it has probably taken years before we are finally diagnosed and the hormones have to be gradually increased until we are symptom-free and feel well again.
Also 50mcg is a starting dose and after six weeks a 25mcg increase and so on every six weeks till you feel you are better. So it isn't a quick procedure.
Thyroid hormones run our whole metabolism from head to toe. We have millions of T3 receptor cells in our and all need T3 (converted from T4 - levothyroxine).
I shall give you a list of clinical symptoms and you may be surprised at the amount and am sure you will have more than a few.
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
You may already know how to get the best results from blood tests but, just in case you don't, I will give some suggestions of how to get the best results:-
1. Always get the very ealiest possible, fasting (you can drink water)
2. Allow a gap of 24 hours from your last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards.
The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the range.
Levothyroxine should be taken, usually when we get up with one full glass of water and wait about an hour before eating. Food interferes with the uptake of thyroid hormones.
Some prefer taking levo at bedtime. In that case you're stomach should be empty so leave sufficient time if you've had a meal between it and taking levo (usually about 2.5 hours). Miss this dose if you are having a blood test next morning and take it afterwards and night dose as usual.
Thank you x
Have you been tested for B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD ? Are you taking supplements or any other mefs ?
Having a full blood test through medi checks on Monday 5th. Unfortunately I'm having to wait as they didn't have any appointments before 11.30 other than that date.
Yes I'm taking a very good multi vitamin, magnesium, omegas, adrenal support etc as recommended by my nutritionist.
What is in the Multi-vit ? Maybe things you do not need and not enough of things you do need 😊 Do they contain iodine or soya ? Not good if you Hashimotos.
Maybe the adrenal support is too strong at the moment. Adrenals love LOTS of VitC ....
I'm taking 500mg vit c and taking Viridian womens multi vitamin.
Also I'm taking 4 of these per day plus other vitamins as recommended by my nutritionist. Perhaps I'll add more vit c though!
VitC can be taken to bowel tolerance .... read up on Dr Sarah Myhill ....
I've read up on dr Myhill as I was told I had chronic fatigue for 2 years! It's only now the thyroid has come to light..
I am supplementing high doses of magnesium, an adrenal support formula, friendly bacteria for gut absorption, omegas.
Just can't believe how rotten I feel X thanks so much for replying
I would wait until you have the results from Medi-checks. I am thinking that your B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD are low in range. Something that your Nutritionist has not yet picked up on ! Those levels need to be optimal for your thyroid hormones to work well in the body - your own and the ones you are supplementing.
You will feel rotten if any of the above are low in range ....
Check your multivitamins, if they have iodine in its not recommended with Hashimoto's
drknews.com/iodine-and-hash...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
Definitely avoid all soya too, including soya lecithin if possible
Thank you- yes I'm having tests son into test these. I am taking Viridian magnesium byglycinate in 2 X 300mg doses and will up my vitamin c. My tsh in Jan was 4.1 so am aiming to bring it down and hopefully I'll begin to feel better.
Honestly I'm so grateful for everyone's replies and input. Thank you so much x
Ok
But my tsh is still higher than a lot of people are saying it should be... So I'm hoping it is my thyroid that's causing me all these problems! I don't yet know my other readings
I see... Thank you. Feel free to follow me so that you can respond when I post my results! If you like, obviously!
How long before you started to feel better?
How long? 
How long might a Hashi's hyper flare last?
Feeling awful
How long till improvement 
