How long to feel better on 50mcg Levo
Diagnosed 2013 with hypothyroid
I have had no dose changes at all
Thankyou
Dec 2017
TSH 4.69 (0.20 - 4.20)
FT4 14.7 (12 - 22)
FT3 3.0 (3.1 - 6.8)
Thyroid peroxidase antibody 804 (<34)
Thyroglobulin antibody 375 (<115)
Did you have a dose increase after the December results as they show you were undermedicated? If so you should have had repeat bloods 6 weeks after dose increase to monitor effect. Most people feel better with a TSH around 1 or less.
Thankyou no dose increase at all
We need more information please Cheslie.
What's happened between diagnosis in 2013 and now?
What thyroid meds?
What doses and any changes?
Test results at those times?
Antibodies tested? Results?
Vitamins and minerals tested? Results? Supplementing?
Full information means we can try and help.
Thankyou I have had no dose changes at all
Thyroid peroxidase antibody 804 (<34)
Thyroglobulin antibody 375 (<115)
Cheslie
So you were diagnosed in 2013, prescribed 50mcg Levo and have been on that dose all this time - 5 years???!!! Your GP should be shot!
50mcg is a starter dose and the protocol is to retest after 6 weeks then increase by 25mcg, with retesting/increasing every 6 weeks until your 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 below or wherever it needs to be for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges when on Levo
Have you at least had annual blood tests? Has your GP never suggested increasing your dose? This beggars belief!
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Thyroid peroxidase antibody 804 (<34)
Thyroglobulin antibody 375 (<115)
Your high antibodies mean that you are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's which is where antibodies attack the thyroid and gradually destroy it. The antibody attacks cause fluctuations in symptoms and test results.
Most doctors dismiss antibodies as being of no importance and know little or nothing about Hashi's and how it affects the patient, test results and symptoms. You need to read, learn, understand and help yourself where Hashi's is concerned.
You can help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help. Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.
Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...
stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...
hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies. So you need to know where your levels are to see if you need to supplement and address any absorption problems. You need
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
All need to be optimal for thyroid hormone to work properly.
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But most important is to get an increase in your Levo and you should ask your GP for al 25mcg increase now and arrange retesting for 6 weeks later, then see what those results are like and you may need further increases. In support of your request for an increase, use the following information from thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the... > Treatment Options
Dr Toft 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)."
Dr Toft is past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist.
You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing Dionne at tukadmin@thyroiduk.org print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor.
Thankyou I have had bloods for thyroid every 6-8 weeks to monitor my levels but no suggestion of increase
Cheslie
Is there another doctor you can see? This one clearly doesn't have a clue and is as much use as a chocolate teapot and has done nothing but keep you unwell.
Will see if I can see another doctor
You are undermedicated, go back and ask for an increase. You have positive antibodies therefore you have hashimoto’s disease. You need to research more there is lots of info on this site. It is hard but most gps have little knowledge on how to deal with hypothyroidism you will need to learn more about the disease and take responsibility for your own health. Good luck.
You will never feel better with these results, 50 mcg is too little. Your doctor needs to give you more levothyroxine, perhaps 100 mcg.
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Question regarding Iodine
A question about thyoid antibodies 
