Progress: I've been on 75mcg Levo since July last... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

140,917 members166,037 posts

Progress

Countrykitten profile image
6 Replies

I've been on 75mcg Levo since July last year. After my last blood test before Christmas I was told it was 'Satisfactory ' and Dr didn't need to see me. (TSH was 2.9, they don't test anything else) despite the fact that I still had symptoms. I went back recently to ask for an increase after I had tried upping my dose myself to 100mcg. TSH this time 3.5. I went to see my GP this morning prepared to have to persuade her but she immediately agreed that was too high and has increased my prescription to 100 and made a note on my records that if any future blood tests come back over 2.0 I am to have an increase as we are aiming for 1.0. !!

So, at last someone is listening!!

Written by
Countrykitten profile image
Countrykitten
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Great to hear. So in 6-8 weeks time you will need bloods retested

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

If not had vitamins and antibodies tested, request that they are

Or 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.

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 .

Most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine as outlined here

beta.nhs.uk/medicines/levot...

Countrykitten profile image
Countrykitten in reply toSlowDragon

Next bloodtest not until December! Our Practice is so understaffed and oversubscribed and more patients registering all the time because of massive house building expansion here in the South, I'm lucky, and

grateful to get an appointment at all!!

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

Ideally, the aim is a TSH of 1 or lower, but you can gradually persuade her of that if your increases do not resolve your symptoms.

Many doctors seem to assume that 'somewhere' in the range (up to 5) is fine and assumes we're on sufficient dose.

Mino40 profile image
Mino40

Have you tried changing the brand? My TSH was lower than yours but my FT4 was 8. My GP suggested a change of brand as an experiment, and my TSH dropped further and my FT4 increased to 18.5 in 6 weeks!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toMino40

Out of interest, from which brand to which brand?

Lots of us only do well on one or two brands.

Interesting result

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toMino40

Just seen on previous posts, you were on Teva before. Now Activis

Many, many patients do extremely badly on Teva, so it's not surprising to see such an improvement

Recommended to put in yellow card

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

No progress

Hi all, just an update really. Just see what your thoughts are. Diagnosed hypo in july and...
katynurse profile image

TSH is now 'suppressed' at 0.08

I haven't been here for a while, but in June went up to 100mcg Levo after an increase from 50-75...
cal1971 profile image

Blood test results- have been referred to endocrinology based on these!

I went back for my thyroid blood tests 6 weeks after elevated TSH levels had been flagged up on my...

Blood test timing

Hi all you clever folks out there, I’ve upped my medication of liquid thyroxine in the last few...
Bookworm63 profile image

Titration of Levo halted at 75mg because TSH is 0.09 in recent blood test

I started Levo 50 in January but only got up to 75mg in October. I just had my most recent blood...
Bearo profile image

Moderation team

See all
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.