Progress

[Countrykitten]

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!!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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 in reply to SlowDragon]

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 Administrator]

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]

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 Administrator in reply to Mino40]

Out of interest, from which brand to which brand?

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

Interesting result

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mino40]

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...