not sure if I need levothyroxine

[kuepper]

I'm an OAP and went to doctors as I realised I was not concentrating at key times eg a fall down stairs when I missed a step out, on many occasions nearly being injured crossing the road without paying attention to traffic/ signals, confusing days/ dates so I missed a flight. Doc did a memory test and though I passed it said my blood test showed my thyroid was underactive and this could be cause of my problem. 3 months on the drug and tho my thyroid levels are now normalised according to blood sample my problems of concentration are unchanged and I think worse. Went back to Doc and he said continue taking tablets and has also referred me to a memory clinic even though I passed the memory test 100% for a second time. The leaflet with the tablets is from a different manufacturer to last time and talks about taking water with tablet which I never have done as it wasn't mentioned with previous leaflet. Is that likely to make any difference to me as my thyroid levels are supposedly ok now anyway? What has thyroid got to do with concentration? Any observations ?

[Peanut31]

Hi

You need to ask for the copies of your thyroid blood results, then post them on here including ranges and the experienced members will advise.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[Nanaedake]

If someone has a deficiency of thyroid hormone it can affect memory, however, you may have low vitamin levels that are common with thyroid conditions so getting them checked might be a good idea. Ask your doctor to check B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D.

If you get a copy of your latest thyroid test results along with the laboratory ranges and post them here, experienced people will tell you whether you are optimally medicated.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Very important to test B12 and folate. Also vitamin D and ferritin

B12 often drops low as we age and it is often low as result of being hypothyroid. So it's even more likely

Low B12 can significantly affect memory. Ask GP to test B12, folate, vitamin D and ferritin

Yes. Always take Levo on empty stomach with water only, and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. (No tea or coffee for at least an hour after)

Many take Levothyroxine 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 at repeat prescription. Many patients do not get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients

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)

[greygoose]

The brain uses a lot of thyroid hormone, so if there's not enough of it, you can get all sorts of brain-related symptoms, like loss of memory, depression, anxiety, etc.

You need to water to make sure the tablet goes down into the stomach, where the stomach acid sill dissolve it. If it gets stuck in the throat, absorption could be compromised. Did your doctor - or anyone - tell you you should take your levo on an empty stomach and wait at least an hour before eating or drinking anything other than water. And leaving at least two hours before taking any other medication or supplement?

When your doctor says normal, he doesn't actually mean 'normal'. He just means 'in-range'. However, the ranges are usually so wide that the important thing is where in the range the result falls. We're all different, so his 'normal' may not be 'normal' for you. Which is why you need to get copies of your results and lean how to read them.

How much levo are you taking?

[kuepper]

Thanks for everyone's prompt replies which i'll try to respond to wrt the various points. I see 3 replies mention my memory but I don't see there's anything seriously wrong with my memory! I've passed a memory test 100% with 2 different gp's , my problem seems more to do with concentration, carelessness, not paying proper attention and being easily distracted etc I'm but I can't find any link between that and an underactive thyroid which is the only thing my gp could find wrong with me. The 'memory clinic' will test for signs of dementia etc. I'm taking 50 microgram/day. This brand is Almus on the packet but Actavis on the leaflet? Don't know what previous brand was. I'll ask about getting results tomorrow. I was never told anything about taking water with previous tablets but I'm sure leaflet said the tablet had to be taken in the morning 30-60 mins before eating. My last blood test was about an hour/90 mins after taking tablet, noone told me not to. I did think it odd and mentioned it to gp but he said it didn't make any difference. It would suit me better to take tablets at night so I'll try that but as I've not felt or noticed any difference in my concentration I don't really want to carry on taking them at all.

[silverfox7]

Symptoms take longer to reverse so you probably need more time to feel better plus as your doctor told you to return to be tested again in 6-8 weeks? I do hope so. We start on a low dose to get our bodies used to the medication so after 6 weeks-the time to get any new dose fully into our bodies, then we need to be tested and most would need an increase at that stage. Increases are done by 25 mcg each time they are shown to be needed. If when you are retested we can help you understand what they mean and what should be the next step. We all react differently and our thyroid levels can naturally be varied but we strive to get well but the levels can be different to another person, it's what is best for you that is important. It's not uncommon either for your best dose to be between two so if that's the case then it's also fine to take different doses on alternate day i.e. 50/75. Some doctors though think one little pill helps all. Yes it may help but often it's on the low side and as I said andcincrease and more monitoring is important to get things right for you. Shout out if ever unsure etc and someone will respond.

[Polaris]

Our ability to absorb B12 often begins to subtly reduce after the age of 60, kuepper, when hydrochloric acid needed to process B12 starts to diminish. Those of us with Hashimoto's thyroid disease are at greater risk of this.

One of the first signs can be problems with balance, concentration, tingling in fingers and toes, etc. - early neuropathy caused by degeneration of the protective covering surrounding the myelin sheath.

Many of us on the PAS forum have thyroid disease and PA/12def. Do not be tempted to supplement before testing though, as this the will skew test results and make it difficult to obtain correct treatment with injections.

Good luck with getting a correct diagnosis.

[kuepper]

My results after 12 weeks on 50 microgm daily

Thyroid function test RLE644-Normal. No action.

Serum free T4 level 13.3 pmol/L 7.00-17.00pmol/L

Serum TSH level 0.42 mu/L 0.40-4.50mu/L

No idea what this means

[kuepper]

Just bumping this so someone with know how can comment on results please.