Newbie

Is it normal to have stomach cramps while taking levothyroxine? I have recently had my dosage increased from 25mg to 50 mg and wonder if this is the cause.

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It's teva I've been on but the next lot I am about to start is acavis (sodium). Just hope that's better.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Dose is in Mcg, not Mg

25mcg is only half the standard starter dose of 50mcg

Unless elderly, frail, heart condition or extremely hypothyroid at diagnosis

Nice guidelines saying how to initiate and increase

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

Can you add you results and ranges for TSH, FT4 and FT3, plus do you have high thyroid antibodies?

Also helpful if GP has tested vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 too

You should have bloods retested after 6 weeks on constant dose (same brand)

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

All thyroid tests should ideally 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. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)