Advice on blood results and increaseing levothroxine?. Was advised by Dr to do repeat test in 3 months time. Serum TSH 4.81. Serum TSH 14.5

[Gemmadoo]

Thyroid Serum TSH Level 4.81

Thyroid Serum free T4 Level 14.5

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can you add the ranges please on these results

TSH should be around one and FT4 towards top of range, so it's highly likely you need a 25mcg dose increase

Are you still only on 25mcg dose?

NHS guidelines saying standard starter dose is 50mcgs

beta.nhs.uk/medicines/levot...

[Gemmadoo in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon,

Serum Tsh level 4.81 range 0.27-4.20

Serum free T4 Level range 12.00 - 22.00

Yes still on 25mg, it was hard to get the Dr to agree to put me on medication, eventually Dr agreed

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Gemmadoo

The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges if that is where you feel well.

You haven't put the ranges so we don't know where your FT4 falls (please always include reference ranges so that your results can be interpreted), it would be near the top of range with my lab as their range is 7-17. However, we do know that your TSH is far too high. If your GP didn't increase your Levo by 25mcg s/he should have done, with a retest in 6-8 weeks, followed by another retest and increase of 25mcg, and repeat until your levels are where they need to be for you to feel well.

[Gemmadoo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeasideSusie,

Thank you for reply.

I will go back to Dr for increase. I don't understand the range ref, us that the numbers on right hand side of results?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gemmadoo]

Gemmadoo

The range may be in brackets usually to the right or below

For example

TSH: 2.5 (0.2-4.2)

FT4: 15 (12-22)

[Gemmadoo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Tsh level 4 .81 = 0.27 - 4.20

Serum free t4 level 12.00 - 22.0.0

Thank yoy

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gemmadoo]

Gemmadoo

If your GP didn't increase your Levo after seeing those results then s/he is an idiot, find another one. Your TSH is over range and considering virtually every doctor tends to dose by TSH you'd at least expect him/her to bring yours into range, not make you wait another 3 months and test again.

[Gemmadoo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. I will contact Dr first thing Monday morning.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gemmadoo]

Yes TSH should be at least under 2 when on Levothyroxine

Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine

(Many of us need TSH nearer 0.2 than 2.0 to feel well)

See box

Thyroxine replacement in primary hypothyroidism

pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...

Most find they need it around one and FT4 towards top of range

Make an appointment to see GP and request 25mcg dose increase in Levothyroxine and bloods will need retesting in 6-8 weeks again

Likely this will repeat several times. Most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg

But we have to increase slowly in maximum dose change of 25mcg. Then waiting to readjust before testing again

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo 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)

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take early morning on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased

[Gemmadoo in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much. Will go back to Dr and get increase.

[Hidden]

I'm still on 0.25 mcg as well, but at least, even though I was still "Subclinical" they did start treatment! If you are over 50 or have high blood pressure or a heart problem they prefer to start on a low dose.

I just had another blood test after 7 weeks (was supposed to be 8 but I asked if it could be sooner and they agreed). Hopefully get an increase when results come back, as, after a good improvement at first, my symptoms are getting worse. Had a headache almost every day this week, can't concentrate very well and too lethargic to do very much of anything.

Three months is far too long when you are getting adjusted, but I've had a total of three letters in a few weeks from the surgery to have another test in 3 months! As I already had the blood form with the end of this month written on it, I ignored them!

[Gemmadoo]

Thank you Jnetti, I will phone my Dr and discuss.

[curt504a]

I'll repost on this thread: (self treat by buying armor/naturoid/thyrovanz) on the internet... Dump this Drs!!

find it odd that the UK endo's prescribe T4/Levo. The patient groups I've been in AND from my own (very old and old school) says women do much better on naturiod / armor vs T4/levo!!!!

Over and over I read here symptoms that just t4 is not doing what's needed; higher energy, better hair, warmer extremities etc.

Why not ask for armor or its equivelent in your area?

FWIW some here have taken prescribing into their own hands and are buying this non-prescription Bovine sourced throid extract: Thyrovanz

Google to find where to buy. Get on the face book group for thyrovanz

Milligrams are approx the same as armor but it has different absorbtion for individuals so you need to tune per your own body. Best of luck.

[Gemmadoo in reply to curt504a]

Thank you. I will do some research.

[Eddie83]

TSH=4.81 is too high. If the doc is really interested in you getting better, he needs to track your FT3 also. By making you wait 12 weeks between tests (as little as 5 weeks is adequate, following a dose change), the doc is making everything take about twice as long as it should.

[Gemmadoo]

Thank you Eddie83. I'm going to phone Dr today.