New to Levothyroxine

[Anniewoz1]

Hi everyone

I was prescribed levothyroxine yesterday .... yay !!

Just wondering if it starts working within days, weeks or months .....

I’ve to revisit GP mid July for bloods

Thanks, enjoy the sunshine 🌞

[shaws Administrator]

That's good news. How long does it take to work? that is definitely the 24 thousand dollar question.

Recovery is so individual and, on average, a dose between 100 to 150 mcg of levo may do the trick. Your dose should be increased by 25mcg every six weeks until your TSH is 1 or lower and FT4 and FT3 towards the upper part of the ranges. Most of all you should have relief of all clinical symptoms.

GP should also test Vit B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. Everything has to be optimal.

[Anniewoz1 in reply to shaws]

Thanks Shaws

I’m not holding my breath for gp testing for all these, I’ll probably pay *again* and take him the evidence !

No choice when I need him to prescribe!

[shaws Administrator in reply to Anniewoz1]

I do hope you have a sympathetic doctor as it would seem on this forum that most just look at the TSH and T4 and then pronounce a verdict. Many of the medical profession don't seem to know any clinical symptoms, nor how to relieve them.

We should not be forced to look elsewhere in order to try to feel better so I wish you well with your appointment once you get your results.

[silverfox7]

Welcome to the forum! You may feel a slight different in about three weeks though it takes 6 weeks for each new dose to fully get into body. Good though that your doctor knows to retest ao you will probably need a dose increase then and the whole process repeated until you are on the right dose for you. When you next see your doctor ask if you can have Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin tested. These all need to be optimal, not just in range but important as they help the Thyroid to work better, can help if it is found you don't convert the inactive T4 (Levo) to the active T3 every cell in our body needs.

Have a look at the Thyroid Uk site as they run this forum so lots of good advice on there. Shout out if anything you don't understand. Some doctors think a little pill solves all but it can be more complex than that for some of us. It can be a bit daunting at first but remember you are now among friends who have been where you are now so can offer advice.

[Anniewoz1 in reply to silverfox7]

Many thanks for your reply silverfox

I’m hoping gp is now listening, it’s 40 years since partial thyroidectomy and today’s symptoms all point to hypo !

I’m so pleased I found this great site, as you say, thyroids are complicated little devils !