Newly diagnosed

[Sophi9]

Hi I am newly diagnosed. I take 50mcg levo from 25mcg levo. This increase was made 3 weeks ago. I was told I have hypothyroid in May 2018. I don't feel any different on this. I am 28 years old. The doctor said it would take a long time for levels to improve, my latest results went from overt hypothyroid to normal on just the 25mcg but an increase was agreed as I still felt awful. I now feel like my symptoms are in my head and I begrudge going to doctors for anything related to my symptoms. I am at a loose end about why I continue to feel unwell and that's why I have come here. Advice appreciated.

Thanks

[Diane17884]

Hi Sophi, it may be a good idea to post any results you may have so people can advise. I'm newly diagnosed myself so I'm just learning too but if you haven't already done so have your doctor test your ferratin, folate, iron, vitamin D and B12 levels. B12 deficiency in particular can have very similar symptoms to hypo. Hope you feel better soon x

[Sophi9 in reply to Diane17884]

Thank you my results when diagnosed

TSH 23 (0.2 - 4.2)

FREE T4 10.1 (12 - 22)

Current results

TSH 4 (0.2 - 4.2)

FREE T4 12.7 (12 - 22)

FREE T3 3.1 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO ANTIBODY >1100 (<34)

I have iron anaemia, B12 deficiency, folate anaemia and vit D deficiency too

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Sophi9]

Your thyroid hormones are still very low in range. The aim is to get them into the top quarter of their ranges, so you need another increase soon. Most people need a TSH under 1. Your antibodies are very high showing that you have Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid disease). Going gluten-free and supplementing selenium can help reduce antibody attacks. The antibody attacks will eventually destroy your thyroid so you'll probably need regular increases in levo.

[greygoose]

I agree with Diane, it would be a good idea to get hold of your test results and post them here with the ranges, so we can see what's going on. 'Normal', just means 'in-range', but there's often nothing normal at all about the ranges.

50 mcg is only a starter dose - your doctor started you too low for a 28 year-old. 25 mcg is for the very old, very young or those with heart problems. You will probably need a couple more increases before you feel right.

Make sure you go back to be retested in six weeks from the time you started the 50 mcg. Get an appointment for the blood draw early in the morning, and fast over-night - no, I know your doctor didn't tell you to do that, he doesn't know, this is a patient to patient tip. And, leave a 24 hour gap between your last dose of levo and the blood draw. And, most important, get a print-out of the results. If you live in the UK, it's your legal right to have a copy.

[Sophi9 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you my results when diagnosed

TSH 23 (0.2 - 4.2)

FREE T4 10.1 (12 - 22)

Current results

TSH 4 (0.2 - 4.2)

FREE T4 12.7 (12 - 22)

FREE T3 3.1 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO ANTIBODY >1100 (<34)

Nurse told me to fast, leave 24 hours between Levo dose and blood test and have bloods done early morning

[Tile]

With your low iron B12 and Folate you should be checked for pernicious anemia. Doctors would have to look at your Red Blood Cells and the MCV MCHC RDW. Maybe they have done this already if not call them before you start taking methylB12 and methylfolate. Once you start taking these vits it can mask pernicious anemia. Doubt you have it but good to check.. You need to take a Bcomplex with no folic acid or cyanoB12. You need VitD3 high dose VitK Vit A. Zinc Selenium Magnesium glycinate are also very important. See if you can get a homocysteine test.methylfolate would help lower homocysteine. Low folate can cause high homocysteine which when too high can cause cardiovascular.problems etc. Read up on it. You can probably use a higher dose. Levo can help lower antibodies. Hypothyroidism can be connected to poor methylation of toxins and polymorphisms in C677 and or 1298. Causing lowering of MTHFReductase enzyme. This is why you need high VitB12 and Serum Folate. The lower the folate the higher the homocysteine.

[Sophi9 in reply to Tile]

Thank you I will go back to my GP and ask to be tested for pernicious anaemia.

[serenfach]

You were very hypo when diagnosed and it does take a while to get the levels down. It also takes a while to find the right level of drugs to take as the time lag from taking the pill to the body using it is quite long. As long as you keep going back and asking for blood tests until your levels are right for you, you will get there and begin to feel better, but it does take a while.

In the meantime keep reading on here to get as much information on what is going on in your body and take control of your health. Most of us here have been on this journey, so know exactly how you feel and it is not easy. Hope you find your right levels soon and start to feel better.