HI I take Levothyroxin 125-150 daily and am gaining weight very tired does anyone else have this problem. I am thinking of trying Armour but do not know where to get it at a reasonable price.
Help needed: HI I take Levothyroxin 125-150 daily... - Thyroid UK
Help needed
Written by
twikle
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8 Replies
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SeasideSusieRemembering
Twikle
Feeling tired and gaining weight are symptoms of hypothyroidism so you could be undermedicated. What are your latest test results? If you can post the following, with their reference ranges members will help:
TSH
FT4
FT3
Thyroid antibodies
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
If you haven't had them all done, and your doctor can't do them all, you may have to do what many of us here do and that is private tests, easily done here in the UK with one of ThyroidUK's recommended labs.
I have the same problem! I gained 2 stone in 10 months when my levothyroxine dose was increased from 50mcg to 100mcg and I'm finding it impossible to see an endo!
SlowDragonAdministrator
First do you have any recent blood test results and ranges
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
Low vitamin levels are extremely common and can cause symptoms in their own right and/or affect how Thyroid hormones work
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins
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 with Hashimoto's too, especially gluten. So it's very important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...
Come back on new post with full results and ranges when you get them. Members can then offer advise on next steps
Thank you for the advice I have Hashimoto I have had regular blood tests and will get the detailed results but have been told that my levels are now very good with my meds dosage. If I stopped taking the meds would my weight even out as my weight gain is so depressing.
You cannot stop taking it. It's not a drug that you can stop and start, it's thyroid hormone replacing what your thyroid can no-longer make. Without thyroid hormone, you die. But, first, you would probably put on even more weight.
Just telling patients that their 'levels are very good' is not good enough. A doctor wouldn't know if your levels were good, bad or indifferent, because they don't understand blood test results and know nothing about how thyroid works. YOU need to see the numbers yourself and learn to understand them. You need to take charge of your own health. But, first, you need to a bit more than doctors! Read, read, read. On here, check out all the links, ask questions and do your own research. And, the first thing you need to learn is that you can't just stop your levo, it's for life. 
Thank you for your encouragement I am just off to see the Dr and will take the medication
Armour thyroid is like taking a placebo. Since it's been reformulated, it useless. Try Nature-Thyroid or Westhroid Pure.
