Overmedicated

[ChrisH100]

Evening all

I’ve been on LDN for some time - recently I have felt over medicated.

My tsh at worse was borderline before being put on thyroxine - I have positive antibodies. For me synthetic has made me feel worse.

Want to see if dropping my dosage from 150 to 125 thyroxine will make any difference.

My question is if my thyroid was ok would it kick in straight away or would it take time to work it’s way through

What happens to tsh level - does it go up initially before coming back down

Once your thyroid is totally suppressed (currently at 0.28) does it never come back regardless of condition

Any advise would be greatly received - thank you!

Chris

[greygoose]

Is that your TSH at 0.28? TSH is a pituitary hormone, it's not your thyroid. Yes, it will rise if your thyroid hormones - FT4 and FT3 - drop, but why would you want it to?

You cannot know if you are over-medicated just by looking at your TSH. You need your FT4 and FT3 tested, as well.

[ChrisH100 in reply to greygoose]

I’m really struggling with T4 - never felt well since being on it....just wanted to see if a dosage drop would make a difference as I went from 100 straight up to 150 and have felt jittery, anxious, have strange pressure/tingling feelings in my head and wanted to see if it made a difference - hypothetically if my thyroid was active would it start making hormone straight away or would it take time to produce after being suppressed...

[greygoose in reply to ChrisH100]

How long have you been on 150 mcg? That rather large increase could be the problem, yes.

I don't know the answer to that question. And wouldn't know where to find the answer. I doubt it would be instant, it would probably take time to warm up, so to speak. But how long it would take, I have no idea. And, it probably depends on the person, we're all different.

[ChrisH100 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you!

[ChrisH100 in reply to ChrisH100]

Hello greygoose - I’ve dropped my dosage for 5 days now and I feel weird - strange sensations in arms legs hands and feet, cold and hot flashes, stomach ache - from your own experiences is this typical reaction....I guess if your body is used to a higher dosage it takes time for the body to adjust?

[ChrisH100 in reply to greygoose]

And yes that was my tsh of 0.28...thank you greygoose

[greygoose in reply to ChrisH100]

You're welcome.

[Angel_of_the_North]

TSH 0.28 is not suppressed. And it's not very important anyway - you need to know your thyroid hormone levels. If you reduce your dose and you have primary hypothyroidism, your TSH should rise as the levo leaves your system, which can take several days, However, your thyroid hormones will fall. It's generally free t3 that makes us feel well or ill, so you need to know free T3 - also low B12, folate, ferritin and D3 can cause symptoms, so those need to be at optimum levels.

[ChrisH100 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank you angel of the north - just say my thyroid is still working what would happen if I dropped dosage slightly ? All I know is I feel better when I reduce my dosage...I do t get the tingling and pressure sensations in my head and I don’t feel as cold....I just feel anxious and on a state of alert when I’m at 150....

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to ChrisH100]

Your free t4 and free t3 would drop a little - it's possible that your free T3 would stay the same if you are a good converter. Everyone is different, so if you feel better that way, that's you. Your TSH might not alter or might take aq while to alter - it's another individual thing. Also worth making sure that B12, folate, ferritin and D3 are optimal and that you are getting enough magnesium.

[fortunata]

I was speaking to the doctor who’s sorting out my LDN prescription at the pharmacy in Glasgow. She said I’d need another thyroid blood test after six weeks on LDN as it can reduce the need for thyroid meds. Maybe this is why you feel over-medicated. It might be worth getting your bloods done again.

[ChrisH100 in reply to fortunata]

Hello fortuna how’re you getting on with LDN....

[fortunata in reply to ChrisH100]

I’ve just started on my third week. I raised my dose to 3ml last night. It’s a bit early to say so far. The pharmacist told me I may feel worse before I feel better. I’ve certainly felt very tired and headachey but will persevere. Certainly don’t feel over-medicated yet. Will keep you posted.