High Dose of Thyroxine

[artitz]

Recently my Thyroxine dose was increased to 220mcg as my TSH was very high. However, whenever i take the tablets, i start shaking, light headed, tingling, and i feel jittery. Are these symptoms common?

[Jazzw]

That sounds like it could be an allergic reaction to the fillers (the extra stuff they put in levo to turn it into a pill). It might not be - but it’s a place to start!

Out of interest, what brand of levo have you been prescribed? There have been quite a few reports recently of people feeling worse on particular brands.

[Aurealis]

What were you taking before? How big is the increase in dose?

[Supul]

I suffered those symptoms before I was told I was overprescibed levothyroxine. Not pleasant are they?

Perhaps you would benefit from telephoning your prescriber. The prescriber has a duty of care; and will address your individual response to change of dose.

It may be that you have been given increased dose too quickly. A gradual increase, over 6-8 weekly periods suits me. My body is very sensitive to increased doses and/or brand changes.

Good luck.

[greygoose]

How high was your TSH? Do you have any other results, apart from the TSH? Does your doctor test the FT4 or FT3? Antibodies? Nutrients? Tell us everything you have - results and ranges. Might help us understand what's going on.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

A high dose suggests gut malabsorption issues. Possibly low vitamins and/or gluten intolerance or coeliac

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies.

Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get antibodies tested.