Question around TSH levels

[avb1234]

Hi,

I have had no problems at all since having my Thyroid removed 3 years ago. My Levothyroxine does stabilised at 150 and my TSH levels have always been below 1. I have been feeling very tired the last month, developed tinnitus and tired eyes. I have just had my latest results and the TSH level is at 2.54. Double what it normally is. Could this change mean my dosage needs a change and it may be contributing to my symptoms?

TSH 2.54 / FT 20.9 / FT3 4.51 / TG AB <10 / TPA <9

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can you add the ranges to these results please

Have you recently changed brand of Levothyroxine?

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 the same time of day every time

Ideally 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)

Tinnitus is often due to low B12, common problem when under medicated

Ask GP to test vitamin B12, folate, ferritin and Vitamin D too

[shaws Administrator]

Returning Symptoms are an indication that you need an increase.The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower.

[avb1234 in reply to shaws]

Thanks Shaw, I noticed that currently i have 1 brand for 100 and 1 brand for 50. Never occurred to me this could be a problem. i have had this mix for last 3 months.

Definitely weird as I have been coasting it for last 3 years with no issues at all and all of a sudden I feel rotten. All my previous TSH have been less than 1 so that makes sense.

TSH 2.54 Range 0.27 - 4.20

FT 20.9 Range 12.00 - 22.00

FT3 4.51 Range 3.10 - 6.20

TG AB <10 Range 0 - 115.00

TPA <9 Range 0 - 34.00

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to avb1234]

Which brands?

If Teva is one of them it's very likely the problem

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 every repeat prescription.

Always get same brand

[shaws Administrator in reply to avb1234]

Try this:-

Sometimes it is the fillers/binders in some of the tablets that affect us but you can try taking one anti-histamine tablet one hour before you take 100mcg plus a half of the 100 i.e. 50mcg (split the 100) and see if you benefit. and you feel better. Try this for a couple of days or longer. You are then trying the same manufacturer's product.

If it doesn't work then try 150mcg of the 50mcg.

The actual hormones shouldn't affect us as they are orthomolecular.

p.s. I am not medically qualifiedbut have the same run-around inititally.

[avb1234 in reply to shaws]

One brand is mercury pharma and the other is northstar. Have taken 3 50s from northstar for last couple of days and amazingly feel better. Tinnitus seems to be better too. Am going to talk to the pharmacist about this as it is crazy that they don't know about mixing brands. At the very least I will make sure they are the same brand in future. I'll give it another week and get another test.

Thanks again and hopefully no posting again for another 3 years