Test results explained.....

[Narinb]

Overmedication.

I started on liquid levo 10 days ago. I did a blood last week and saw my GP to get thr results. The GP I saw is a trainee... she failed to read my notes properly and for the last 10 days I have been over medicating.... unknowingly!!

The GP thought I was under and askec me to take 180 mcgs per day. I was on 100mcg abd 75mcg on alternate days.

My results on 22.11.17 were :-

Serun free T4 level...... 13.9

TSH level........................9.75 (0.27-4.2)

18.07.18 :-

Serum free T4 level........29.4

TSH level..........................0.09 (0.27 - 4.2)

What does this all mean? Help

Narinb

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your previous post says you were prescribed 100mcg liquid Levothyroxine

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

On 100/75mcg alternate days you were under medicated

You need vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested, plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies

[Narinb in reply to SlowDragon]

Apologies. My mistake I dont think I have explained properly. I will try again .. I was on the tablets 100 and 75 on alternate days.. GP changed it to liquid levo 100mcg/5ml oral solution. I was taking 9ml of this per day, I think this equates to 180mcg per day? My GP misunderstood and thought I was on 175mcg in tablet form.

Please excuse me for my confusion... I'm trying to understand all this... 🤔

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Narinb]

Suggest you reduce dose slowly. Perhaps 7ml for 2-4 weeks.....see how you feel. If ok stick on this and retest after 8-10 weeks

Otherwise reduced again down to 5ml and retest in 8-10weeks

But suggest you test vitamins now. If these are low, supplementing to improve helps utilise thyroid hormones quicker and better

Maximum dose should be changed at any one time is 25mcg, waiting 6-8 weeks.

[Narinb in reply to SlowDragon]

After my GP realised her mistake, she left the room to get some advice...on return recommended that I take 6.25ml per day (125 mcg) for this week and 5ml per day (100mcg) the week after and retest.

She has changed it by over 50 mcgs... this seems a lot compared to your suggestion... im very worried now.

Thank you for your advice.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Narinb]

Well you can see how you go. If feel it's too big a reduction then tweak dose up a bit for a week or so

But ask GP to test vitamins or test privately if they are unhelpful

Private tests are available.

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 important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

[Narinb in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon. I will take your advice into consideration and get all the tests done. I made a decision to go gluten free only last week. I am in the process of trying to get tested for hashi. A couple of years ago I asked my GP about SIBO and leaky gut, he asked me very angrily ' what is that? There is no such thing'.

I have been recommended a private endo that also knows about SIBO, I have read a lot about gut health in relation to hypo.

Ive got a bit of a journey ahead of me. I was happy to read that you have neared an end to your journey... sorry to hear that it took 23 years though.

Thanks again... this is a great website.

[Jazzw]

The good thing about levothyroxine is that it has a long half life - so a dose can take a few days to wash out of your system. To be honest, you probably won’t really notice much as you reduce it down to what it should be. An FT4 of 29 is high, but not horrendously high, so it shouldn’t take too long to fix.

[Narinb in reply to Jazzw]

Thank you Jazzw.. 🙂

[silverfox7]

Hope you feel better soon. When you post your next results. An you please remember to post the ranges as well. I think we are all awAre your dose was over range but as you try to rectify things then it won't be as easy to comment without them as you get nearer to where you need to be.