Iv been taking 50mg Levothyroxine for 4 years for an under active thyroid. I seem to have gained weight even tho I eat healthy. I don’t smoke or drink I always feel tired and moody. Iv just had a blood test. When I phknedfor results she said it was all ok. I was hoping I could up my dosage and hopefully feel a bit better in myself.
Any ideas.
Juliejues
Juliujues
You need to ask at your surgery for a print out of your results with their reference ranges, then post them on here and members will be able to help.
First thing is, you need to get actual blood test results
You are legally entitled to printed copies of all your blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced acces" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can no longer charge for printing out, rules changed after May 25th 2018)
Come back with new post with most recent results and ranges for TSH, FT3 and FT4, plus have you also had thyroid antibodies tested
Also you will need vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested. Add results and ranges if you have them
NHS guidelines saying standard starter dose is 50mcgs
beta.nhs.uk/medicines/levot...
bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after starting on Levothyroxine and dose increased in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range
If under medicated then low vitamin levels are extremely common and tend to lower TSH
Just testing TSH and FT4 is completely inadequate
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
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 important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...
Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
I will call surgery in morning and ask for printed blood results. Thankyou for advice I will definitely look into all this now. I only have one blood test a year. And I carry on taking my Levo thyroxine she’s never told me to stop taking it before a blood test. So I will mention this to her. When I had my thyroid blood test. I also had a full blood count so hopefully Vit D, folate etc are all included.
Thanks again
Juliejues
Definitely do NOT mention delaying taking Levothyroxine before test. It's a patient to patient tip. Because there is over reliance on just TSH
Only few specialist endocrinologists are even aware of this.
It's extremely rare for NHS to ever test FT3. They only test TPO antibodies once and won't test TG antibodies unless TPO are already high
Literally 1000's on here forced to do tests privately
See what tests you have had....come back on new post with results and ranges. Members can advise what other tests you need
Will do. Thanks again
When you have your blood tests done you have three weeks to get a print out, from when the tests are back. I find asking at reception or speaking to the practice manager, is helpful
and they may print the results out on the spot. Other factors which can make you feel low
and tired, additional to the thyroid problem, are undetected candida infections which are not routinely tested. The spores go deep in the tissues and hide, so it can be hard to detect in men and women. I have a goitre, but found my weight was increasing, until
I started to modify my diet. Even though a diet is healthy, there may be hidden carbs and yeast in products, Though I cut out cakes sweets alcohol, there are hidden sugars in savoury biscuits, soups, and sweeteners which convert to sugar in the liver - even low calorie tonic waters, and foods and squashes marked as having no added sugar, may have natural fruit sugar.
Having discovered a multi grain and dairy allergy through a new test at my chemist,
I have removed wheat, rye, barley, rice cornflour, eggs cows milk and whereas I used to bloat after eating, my weight has gone down, and I don't grab at snacks compulsively.
Hope you get the right dose for your thyroid, which may help your weight control.
The candida can be helped by organic coconut oil which is available in supermarkets for under £4. I use this in casseroles, or melt some to mix with a salad dressing. If you take it for four days every day, and then retake it after a day gap, the candida does not get used to the coconut oil deterrent. No doubt you have no problem with candida.
I did start changing my diet. I eat healthy. Gluten free pasta. And cut out bread and cakes completely I’m not keen on chocolate either.
I’ll start watching my sugar intake too.
I never get cold sores and had one last week and a few tiny white headed spots. And yep since Iv had my thyroid I get Candida. So will defo try the coconut oil
Thanks for advice.
Hidden , there shouldn’t be a time limit on getting a print out of your blood test results. If your surgery have told you that, they’re breaking the law.
You're right Jazzw, I've had copies from my records from 1994 with no problems!
Expect the rules have changed since I last checked. We did have to pay for our
notes not the printing, several years ago if we did not request the information 3 weeks after the notes came back. Each country in the UK is different.
sweeteners which convert to sugar in the liver
I really don't think that's true. But it's true that artificial sweeteners are bad for you, and Hypos should stay off them. 
That’s it. No more sweetness in my tea. Going to try without
You might find that changing the tea blend you buy makes a huge difference.
A lighter tea, maybe Ceylon?, is often more pleasant than the heavier ones that many of us drink.
I reduced my sugar in my tea ( tetkeys) but don't enjoy it much, I switched to decaf and find I can drink that with no sugar at all, as has been suggested, try different brands
Sucrose is used as a sweetener in some low calorie drinks. Splenda - is not recommended for diabetics although it has o calories. I found that major brands have altered their nil calorie tonic waters and whereas I could drink a glass or two, without gaining weight, I found a difference in the product which I think may be a use of a sweetener, which does affect the liver. It is cheaper to put sugar based sweeteners in drinks. I agree there should be some scientific evidence to support my theory but it is so hard to find the substances which are used, as big business is at stake, and most giant corporations won't reveal information.
I agree they're not good for the liver, but that doesn't mean they convert to sugar. We must be careful what we say. Just stop drinking drinks with artificial sweeteners. You'd be better off with pure sugar.
I believe sorbitol is used in sweets and drinks, and there is scientific evidence that this does convert to sugar in the liver. My blood tests for diabetes showed a link with hidden sugar in tonic waters, which was high after having a large glass of tonic water sold as low calorie. I have to watch my diet being type two.
Personal experience is permitted in cases of drugs or sweeteners, and there is evidence that some sweeteners in chocolates, foods, and drinks are not safe as sugar free as they do convert to glycogen in the liver. For that reason NHS do not recommend foods with sorbitol in them, for diabetics.
Well, I know that, I wouldn't recommend them for anyone!
Sorbitol isn't an artificial sweetener. It's made from corn syrup. So, I really don't understand the point of your argument. Or even if you're arguing.
That's interesting to know that sorbitol is made from corn syrup - products are advertised in some chemist shops as being sugar free - that is the power of advertising - the name sorbitol for corn syrup is ambiguous - is it maize corn starch mixed with sugar ?
I am only mentioning things which I have found as a diabetic that raise my blood sugar, hidden from the ordinary consumer.
If I had known that sorbitol was made from corn syrup, I would never have bought it as recently I discovered an allergy to cornflour, and wheat . Sugar metabolism might be safe for non diabetics but many diabetics turn to food marketed as sugar
sugar free, and then gain weight. Certainly ambiguous labelling can be harmful
to type 2 diabetics who cannot produce enough insulin. Splenda is a sweetener, labelled as not advisable for diabetics suggesting, the sweetener might convert to glycogen in the liver. Bakers putting a tablespoon of Splenda in a cake mix might nor recognise their blood sugar could raise.
I think the generalisation that people should not eat sweeteners as they are bad for them is an unsupported statement with no evidence. My elderly father took Hermasetas and other sweetners until he was nearly 95.
I don't think it is advisable to recommend taking small amounts of sugar, rather than a sweetener.
madehow.com/Volume-4/Corn-S...
This link will tell you all about how corn syrup is made.
I think there is plenty of evidence that people should not ingest artificial sweeteners, if you look for it. I would far rather a small dose of sugar. But, then I'm not diabetic, and this is a hypo forum, so I'm not talking to diabetics. And artificial sweeteners are not recommended for hypos.
redriverhealthandwellness.c...
I agree that this is mainly a hypo forum, but many people are hypo and diabetic, so hidden sources of sugar can affect people with several autoimmune diseases and metabolic disorders as you know. Having been warned that thyrotoxicosis and other thyroid diseases often precede diabetes, it was not a surprise when a further autoimmune disease occurred some 16 years later. This information was from an eminent physician.
I'm aware that lots of people have diabetes and hypo, but presumably they don't come on here for advice on their diabetes. But none of that deflects from my point that artificial sweeteners are bad for everyone. And I stick by that point. And, if you don't believe me, do some research like I did.
I agree your research may be valid but the samples for trials are usually not representative of a whole population. There are many people who may be able to use sweeteners without any problem. As posts concerned administrative queries about print outs for blood tests, I did not realise that this post was exclusive for hypo sufferers. I know I have found Dr Isabella Wentz research on sugar and hormone imbalance with Hashimotos and her suggestion that diabetes and inter related hormone imbalance with Hashis and diabetes is reversible is credible.
I know this is not UK research, but there are limitations in UK research, so I think an open mind is good . If this post concerns only Hypo sufferers and not those who may have combined hyper/hypo symptoms, may be this limits information?
Thanks for info on corn syrup much appreciated.
Um. Not wanting to be deliberately argumentative, but that’s not quite right, hawii60.
Here’s what the NHS says about sorbitol: nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/s...
Did you mean sucralose rather than sucrose? I have a feeling sucralose isn’t cheaper than other artificial sweeteners—it’s just that aspartame has an increasingly bad name, so they’ll be using it instead.
Bottom line - sugar is still likely to be worse for you than any artificial sweetener. I don’t know that I completely buy in to the idea that artificial sweeteners have a direct impact on blood sugar but they perhaps do cause an insulin response in some highly sensitive individuals. That’s not so easy to measure.
I’m going into surgery in morning to get print out. And then ask for another blood test and this time I will not take my Levo. Getting fed up that my drs don’t listen to me
Do you normally take Levo in morning or bedtime?
Either way, delay taking Levothyroxine dose and take immediately after blood test
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 or just on repeat prescription
Avoid Teva brand unless lactose intolerant
I take it every morning st around 6am. With water. I don’t eat anything till about 9.30am. When I first started taking levothyroxine it was a different brand that I’m on now. I’m on Teva and I’m NOT. Lactose intolerant.
Many of our members aren’t doing too well on TEVA. It doesn’t seem to suit a lot of folk.
I must admit since Iv been switched over to TEVA. (Larger tablet than my previous one) I get more stressful and tired. And they taste funny too quite salty. Can i ask the dr for another brand. I’d like my old one back but can’t remember what brand they were. Green box and smaller.
You certainly can. I don’t take Levo so can’t advise on other brands but there definitely are some different ones. Others may be able to help.
I’m going to pop into my pharmacy tomorrow and ask him if he stocks other brands. Then go to dr to get my printed results. I’ll print my results on here too.
Sounds like a plan!
Just by way of illustration of the love for TEVA round here, see: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
...
Juliujues
"I’d like my old one back but can’t remember what brand they were. Green box and smaller."
Was it Almus, from Boots?
If so then Actavis and Northstar are the same, all three are Actavis packaged under different names for different pharmacies.
Many many patients find they react extremely badly to Teva
healthunlocked.com/search/t...
When did brand change?
Ask GP for new paper prescription and get previous brand. You may have to try several pharmacies to get brand you need
Then get full testing after 6-8 weeks back on previous brand
Hi
I went and got my printed out test results. They are as follows
Serum TSH level. 2.27 mU/L 0.35 - 5.50mU/L
Serum free T4 level. 14.4. Pmol/L
100 - 19.80pmol/L
Also popped into pharmacy and he’s going to supply me with Actavis. Which were my original levothyroxine tablets. Instead of TEVA
So after 6-8 weeks suggest you get full Thyroid testing including vitamins
TSH should be around one and FT4 towards top of range (17-18)
New blood test should be as early as possible in morning and fasting. No Levo in 24 hours prior to blood test. Delay and take dose immediately after blood test
Thankyou. Will go into Surgery and make another appointment to see Dr
In 6 weeks time. I will ask for full thyroid test and vitamins. Hopefully there do it. As I had a full blood count but it didn’t say anything on it about vitamins.
Having read this post and replies I was interested to read about different brands and therefore went to check my medication. My dose was recently increased to 150 mcg from 125mcg. I notice the 100mcg are TEVA and 50mcg are mercury pharma. I'm afraid I can't remember what make the previous 25mcg I was taking but immediately prior to the increase my migraines (previously once a month) were occurring every week for about 2 months. Since my increase the migraines have stopped but I have always been told there is no connection between Hashimoto's and migraines and the only connection is my body is more susceptible to migraines when run down. I haven't noticed any side effects with the TEVA but should I avoid it anyway and would anyone offer advice whether both sets of tablets I am taking should be same brand? Which brand is recommended and will pharmacists oblige with this request for a different brand?
Many thanks
If you are having no problems then no need to start changing brands is my thought 🙃 I take 125 now 100 is North Star and 25 is mercury pharma
When they did your bloods, was it just for thyroid or did they check other things? I was exactly the same, even falling asleep while talking!!! My Vit D level was non existent and my iron levels were low. Might be worth asking?
They took a full blood count as well as my thyroid blood test. I’m popping into surgery today to get a print out of exactly what they took. Will post my results on here
No Weight gain
TSH increase
Meds increase
