Do I need thyroxine increased?

[Kac64]

I was diagnosed with under active thyroid 10 months ago and am taking 50mg thyroxine. I have recently started to have problems sleeping even though I am exhausted. Is this a sign my thyroxine needs increased.

[greygoose]

Impossible to tell without seeing blood test results, but more than likely. 50 mcg is just a starter dose, and your doctor should have retested you six weeks after starting it, and increased your dose by 25 mcg. That is the protocol, and the process is repeated until all your symptoms are gone - well, that's the theory, but very few GPs know anything about it.

If I were you, I'd go back to my GP and tell him I was a retest. And if your TSH is over 1.25, tell him you want an increase in dose.

[shaws Administrator]

Your doctor is negligent if you've been on 50mcg of levo for ten months. Request a new blood test and tell him you've had information from a Healthunlocked forum for dysfunctions of the thyroid gland.

All blood tests have to be at the very earliest, fasting and allow a 24 hour gap between last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards.

Ask for TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. I don't know if you can afford a Private Test as there is a special offer today from one of our Private Labs.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

GP should also test Vit B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Get print-outs and ranges must be stated as labs differ and it makes it easier to respond.

[klr31]

I was left on 50mcg of thyroxine for 4 years and became very ill. Be proactive and ensure you are taking the correct dose. It needs to be increased slowly.

Karen