5 weeks on 50mcg Levo

[FancyPants54]

Hello

It's now five weeks on 50mcg Levo (I also use topical HRT cream for menopause symptoms). At the start I felt a bit better for a few days but I've been steadily getting worse since then. I now feel really rough. Tired (but not sleepy), weary, knees, ankles, toes, wrist and shoulders/neck hurt, skin is dry and mood has gone around the U-bend and disappeared. I can't concentrate or focus and I can't walk far and ears are hissing in varying degrees of loudness. I am so full fluid that I literally slosh when I lay down. My stomach sloshes about and If I slap it it looks like I dropped a pebble into a pond with ripples and everything! The only time of day I feel a bit better is in the evening when I can just sit on the sofa and give into my exhaustion.

Is this extreme or is this what we all have to go through when adjusting doses?

I've been messed about and left on way too low a dose since last June. I've got to 50mcg every day by taking matters into my own hands.

I need to retest iron and vitamin D levels next week too.

I think I just need some reassurance because I feel so rubbish.

[greygoose]

It's perfectly normal to experience the return of symptoms, like that. It just means that you're ready for an increase in dose.

[FancyPants54 in reply to greygoose]

Oh thank you Greygoose. I work alone and my social life has vanished so apart from my husband who is very helpful and sympathetic, I see no one to talk to all day every day. It makes all this worse. I do feel better in a group with some social interaction. I just needed someone who understands to say it's OK. Thank you.

[greygoose in reply to FancyPants54]

You're welcome.

[FancyPants54 in reply to greygoose]

Is it like this with every dose increase, or with each one should the "feeling better" bit last a bit longer?

[greygoose in reply to FancyPants54]

It should last a bit longer as you progress.

[FancyPants54 in reply to greygoose]

Oh good! I'd better draw up a project plan to deal with the dire situation I'm in at work due to lack of focus and initiate the plan when I up the dose. No hanging around enjoying myself! I've been in such a state I've had to forego my salary for this month!!! That is really helping the situation. (I run my own business, I don't work for some Dickensian slave driver!).

[ShootingStars]

Hi! I'm sorry you're feeling so lousy at the time of your post. How are you feeling now? You should be feeling better, not worse. If worse, with all your symptoms, it sounds like your FT3 and FT4 levels are not anywhere near up where they should be, and meds are not at the right level. At 6 weeks you are getting maximum benefit from your current dose of T4. Have you done your 6 week bloods yet? TSH, FT3 and FT4 are always tested every 6 weeks until your levels are up where they should be, and until your symptoms have subsided.