Confused

I had blood tests done about 7wks ago they come bk that my thyroid was slightly underactive and my vitiamin D was low was perscribed vitD cap twice a week for 7 weeks and was told a needed my thyroid checked in 3 months although I have been quite tired and hving pains in my legs although I hvnt gained any weight I went to my drs on Thursday about my memory and tiredness and he has prescribed me with levothyroxine 100mg 1 in the morning and told me I hv to go and get bloods checked in 6wks time I’m clueless to all of this

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Bellabot

100mcg Levo is quite a high starting dose, you might find it too much for now and may have been better starting on 50mcg. See how you go.

Take your Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or 2 hours after food, with a glass of water, no tea, coffee, milk, etc, for an hour either side as that may affect absorption.

You can take your Levo morning or bedtime, it doesn't matter, whatever time suits you, as long you avoid food and drink as mentioned.

When returning for your next blood test, always advised here is to book the very first appointment of the morning, fast overnight (water allowed) and leave off Levo for 24 hours, take after the blood draw. This gives the highest possible TSH which is needed when looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction. This is a patient to patient tip which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.

Retesting and increases of 25mcg should be done every 6 weeks until you levels are where they need to be for you to feel well. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their reference ranges.

Have a look through ThyroidUK's main website which contains lots of information about hypothyroidism and work your way down the purple menu on the left hand side. Come back with any questions or anything you're not clear about.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

If you would like any test results interpreted, always include the reference ranges as they vary from lab to lab. They are usually at the side of the results and may be in brackets, eg

TSH:2.5 (0.2-4.2)

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thankyou on my box it states take morning 30mins before breakfast or caffeine which I have done I’m feeling rather sickly after having a sandwich which is all I can manage or toast can only be down to the thyroxine maybe I will be better off taking them on a night time?if I had my dose this morning when will I start my nighttime dose tomorrow or tonight.im just a little confused with all of these blood things Tf’s as my dr hasn’t told me nothing about it but will rember to do the things before my blood test in June thankyou

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

Bellabot

We all know what the Levo box says, and what doctors say, but between the 77000 members here there is a wealth of experience that we pass on. One hour before food or two hours after will ensure that your Levo is absorbed properly. If taking at night, if your evening meal is your main meal then leave 3 hours before taking your Levo, avoiding the drinks as mentioned above.

If you take any other medication and/or supplements then leave 2 hours between Levo and taking them, some needing 4 hours.

Some people find that a certain brand of Levo doesn't suit them and causes aide effects. If you find that to be the case ask to try a different brand.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Always ask for printed copies of actual results and ranges on all blood tests. You are legally entitled to copies of your results and ranges

You will find you need to keep good record of actual results, the dose of Levothyroxine (and brand) you are taking and how you feel, at each test.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can make nominal charge for printing but many will do so for free (£10 max and can not charge at all after end of May 2018 due to new EU ruling)

Normally the starter dose is only 50mcg, and dose is increased slowly, usually at 25mcg steps after 6-8 weeks. Bloods are retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase. Though more modern thinking suggest it may be better to start at higher dose of 100mcg.

Certainly far too many GP's start too low at 25mcg, so a bit high is possibly better than too low. But just be aware you might feel slightly over medicated. Symptoms can include palpitations, diarrhoea. If so you may need to reduce dose for few weeks, but ideally see GP first.

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. We are all different, some try it at bedtime and prefer it, others don't get on with it.

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. Many patients don't get on with Teva brand.

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after being on absolutely constant dose, taken everyday and again 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

[Hidden]

Hi so what will I do with the copies of my blood results who will need to see these?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

You need them for your own records to refer to in the future. The surgery will have your results on the computer. You keep your own copy, either on a spreadsheet or in a book or whatever you are happy with. Make a note of

Date

Test name eg TSH

Result eg 2. 5

Reference range eg (0.2-4.2)

Dose of Levo eg 100mcg

Symptoms/Notes

Do this every time then you will be able to see how you feel on a particular dose or with particular results. If your GP wants to change your dose then you will know, if you've been on that dose before, if you feel well it or not, and you'll know from your notes where in range you felt best.

You will need to ensure that your tests are done under the same circumstances each time so that you can compare accurately. This will be an important resource for you in the future.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ok thankyou