Levothyroxine

[ebbwvaleboy]

Hi everyone

I am after some advice going to GP tomorrow to get blood test there not fasting ones will ask the GP to do a full range of blood test as I feel there is something wrong but can't put my finger on it am on 125 levothyroxine been putting on weight and have mood swings every time I go to the doctors they say results are normal is there a different med out there to take

Cheers all

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

ebbwvaleboy

every time I go to the doctors they say results are normal

What are these "normal" results? Never trust a doctor or receptionist when they say normal, fine or OK. It just means they are somewhere within the range, but it's where in the range that is important. Always get a print out of your results and see for yourself. We are legally entitled to our results so if you don't have them, pop along to the surgery, ask for a print out (don't accept verbal or hand written ones, mistakes can happen), then post your results on the forum for members to comment.

Thyroid blood tests should always be done as early as possible in the morning, after an overnight fast (evening meal as normal, water only, breakfast after blood draw) and leave off Levo for 24 hours.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Just testing TSH and FT4 is completely inadequate

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. When 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 are very common too, especially gluten. So it's very important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

[shaws Administrator]

Test always has to be at the very earliest possible and fasting but GPs tell us we don't need to fast for thyroid ones but they are very wrong. The results will be skewed.

Allow a 24 hours between last dose and test and take it afterwards. Always take levo with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating.

[Hidden]

I do this and I don't mention it to my doctor or lab tech. Don't want them to take this into account re deciding proper dosages as the tendency is often to undermedicate. It's my little secret I learned here. Don't tell!😊

[Aurealis]

You have to adjust dose to correct place in range for you, not just any old place in the range. Your GP can’t do it for you as only you will be able to tell when you feel like yourself again. It’s trial and error really. The tests are only useful for making the GP feel useful, and for making sure you’re not massively overdosed and your GP guilty of negligence for not checking. It’s a case of ‘patient make yourself well, here are the pills to do it with’. They’re just not honest about it. Good luck