Some good news!

[Chriskisby]

I wrote to you all a couple of weeks ago to tell you my GP had reduced my levo from 125mg to 100 because my TSH was 0.2, even though my T3 and T4 were within normal limits and I felt well. I asked for help how to persuade him to revert back to my proper dose, as I was starting to feel unwell on the reduced dose. I was advised to tell him about Dr Toft’s research, which I did and, guess what? He gave me my 25mg back!

Thanks to you all for your help. Keep up the good work!

[Catseyes235]

Really interesting as am going for a blood test today after reducing my thyroxine by 25 mcg for 3 months at new docs suggestion as similar TSH to your reading though felt fine and my old doc was happy with that. I'm okayish but definitely a bit depressed, less oomph, cold extremities and arthritis worse though don't know if related. Going to talk to him when get results but you've really made me think as couldn't get a handle on how I really felt! I'll have to look out Dr Toft or is there a link here? Thanks!!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Catseyes235]

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.

Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor

 please email Dionne at

[e-mail]

Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many otherwise we need high FT4 and suppressed TSH in order to have high enough FT3

rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine

(Many of us need TSH nearer 0.2 than 2.0 to feel well)

See box

Thyroxine replacement in primary hypothyroidism

pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...

[Catseyes235 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for that! Just trying to find my old blood test print outs but I'll get the Toft advice oriented out too. (While looking I came upon a convoluted family tree that an old aunt had typed out so v distracted). Read some later posts which said they wouldn't go near Toft with a barge pole and that he was no good for advice? Can't please everyone I guess but as long as he suits my purpose I'll go with it. Thank again

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Catseyes235]

In the past he was apparently adamant Levothyroxine was all we needed.

More recently changed opinion

[Catseyes235 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks . . I still can't find print out but think was least than 1. Will keep searching.