I've recently discovered this site after realising that so many of my symptoms I've had for the last two years are typical of hypothyroidism. After many trips to the GP I have been finally been diagnosed as hypo and been on 50mcg of Levothyroxine for 8 weeks. After a couple of weeks the symptoms started to disappear, but after 6 weeks they have started to creep back. A couple of weeks ago I paid for a medichecks test and my results are below. I'm just wondering if I need to increase my dose or do I need to be patient as it's still early days? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
TSH 2.7 mIU/L (0.27-4.20)
T4 16.9 pmol/L (12.00-22.00)
T3 3.72 pmol/L (3.10-6.80)
Thyroglobin antibody 16.9 IU/mL (0.00-115)
TPO 54 IU/no (0.00-34.00)
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loobyp
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The symptoms creeping back is a sign that you need an increase in dose. And, six weeks after starting levo is the right time to have the increase. How much did you start on? Increases should be 25 mcg every six weeks.
Are you self-treating? Or under a doctor? If your doctor is in charge of your treatment, when did he say to go back for a retest?
What time of day did you take the blood? Was it fasting? We always need to know all the details, here.
Thanks for the speedy reply greygoose. My GP started me on 50 mcg and told me to have another test after 3 months. When I started to feel worse again I retested first thing in the morning fasting, 24 hours after last thyroxine.
Three months is too long. Now you've had your private test, and the TSH is still too high - should be one or under - and your FT3 is very low, it would be a good idea to go back and ask for a retest. You wouldn't have enough to increase the dose yourself, would you? You'd run out before the 3 months is up.
Make an appointment to see your GP and ask for next dose increase. Dose is increased in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and certainly under two, with FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range
NHS guidelines saying standard starter dose is 50mcgs
Your high TPO antibodies confirm the reason you have hypothyroidism is due to Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease
Low vitamin levels are more common with Hashimoto's. Ask for vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin to be tested
Symptoms of low vitamin D is bone pain, especially in legs
Low B12 can cause pins and needles or tinnitus or dizzy
Heavy periods are classic sign of being hypothyroid and can cause Anaemia
Hashimoto's often affects the gut and can lead to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
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