UNDERACTIVE THYROID STEP UP IN DOSE

[Wayne39]

my TSH is 1.24 and I'm still getting pains in my calf's and pins and needles numbing underneath my foot. I was on 125mg every other day for a month but this didn't help. My Dr agreed today to put it to 150mg everyday for another month. Will this be ok I don't want it to much of a step up in dose?

[Greybeard]

Hi, you have increased your dose by a massive amount. You have gone from 375 or 500mcg a week (125 every other day) to 1050mcg per week (150 per day). Dose inreases are usually 25 mcg per day. Are you sure it was 125mcg every other day?

[Wayne39 in reply to Greybeard]

Yes I was taking 125mcg every other day for a month. Prior to that I was on 100mcg everyday. So what should I go onto now then?

[Greybeard in reply to Wayne39]

Hi Wayne, that dosing looks very strange. First you were on 100mcg a day, then 125 mcg every other day which is equal to 62.5 mcg a day, then up to 150mcg.

Do you think there could have been a bit of miscommunication with regards to the 125mcg every other day?

Any way, you were under medicated to have a tsh of 1.24. I wouldn't jump up to 150mcg it's too big a jump in one go. An increase of 25 mcg is what is usually recomended, perhaps 2 weeks on 75 mcg and then up to 100 mcg and retest after 6 to 8 weeks. Have you had your vitamins tested? Vit d and vit b12 could be low as could your magnesium levels.

[Wayne39 in reply to Greybeard]

I meant to say I was on 100mcg And then 125mcg alternating for the week.

[Greybeard in reply to Wayne39]

Ok, got it now. In that case 150mcg does sound reasonable. What I said about vitamins and minerals still applies. You can use the search box to see what vitamins need checking, SeasideSusie does a very comprhensive piece on them.

[Peanut31]

Hi wayne39

Thyroid increases are normally increased by 25mcg at a time.

It would really help if you could post your thyroid results on here, this includes ranges.

The experts on here will then be able advise what’s going on.

TSH alone is no good and you haven’t included the TSH range either.

You need TSH, T3 & T4.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[Wayne39 in reply to Peanut31]

My doctor will only test tsh and it was 1.24.

[greygoose]

Did you mean alternating between 125 mcg one day and 150 mcg the next? If so, going up to 150 every day should be fine.

BUT your doctor should not be dosing by the TSH. You've got to the point now, where you need to know the levels of your Frees. Your doctor should at least be testing the FT4, but probably won't do the FT3. But, you could get it done privately.

[Wayne39 in reply to greygoose]

No I meant I was taking 125 every other day. Now I’m gonna go on 150 everyday.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Wayne39]

No, that's too big a jump.

Suggest you try 125mcg everyday

Then get full private testing after 6-8 weeks including vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

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 tested.

[Wayne39 in reply to SlowDragon]

I meant to say I was alternating from 100mcg to 125mcg on alternative days for 6 weeks. Still felt shit so now the doctor said I can take 150mcg everyday for 6 weeks then another blood test. Does that make sense?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Wayne39]

That's likely too big a jump up.

Should only be max of 25mcg overall per day, especially as we get nearer correct food and fine tuning

You could go to 125mcg alternate with 150mcg. - that's 25mcg dose increase overall per day.

125mcg everyday is 12.5mcg dose increase overall per day

[Wayne39]

I’m confused as people are saying different things. I was alternating from 100 to 125 on alternative days for 6 weeks. Are you now saying if I take 150 everyday that’s to much?