How can I increase Levo dose only slightly from... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,240 members166,488 posts

How can I increase Levo dose only slightly from 50mcg/75 mcg daily?

Caroline888 profile image
11 Replies

Hi everyone,

I would like to increase my levo just a little from 50/75 mcg alternate days. Taking 75 mcg daily would be too much I think. I do respond to small increases. My last increase was from 58.3 to 62.5 mcg daily and this did have a good effect. However, some of my symptoms - achey bones and anxiety - have recurred and I am wondering if a tiny increase in levo might help. Just can’t work out how to achieve this. Any ideas would be welcome.

Hope you are all doing ok and enjoying the warmer spell.

Best wishes

Caroline

Written by
Caroline888 profile image
Caroline888
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
11 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Caroline888

The smallest increase would be 1/4 of a 25mcg tablet = 6.25mcg.

If your current average is 62.5mcg daily you will need to make that 68.75.

So that would be 1 x 50mcg tablet plus 3/4 of a 25mcg tablet.

Do you have a pill cutter or craft knife? I manage to cut a T3 tablet into halves and quarters as I take 3/4 of a tablet daily.

Caroline888 profile image
Caroline888 in reply toSeasideSusie

Thank you so much Susie for getting back to me so quickly.

I do have a pill cutter but am not sure I could cut my tiny Wockhardt pill into quarters. I will try though if I need to. 68.75 mcg is the kind of dose I’m looking for. Until now I’ve felt good on 50/75 mcg alternate days so don’t want to increase my dose too much or too quickly.

Thank you. You’ve given me something to think about. As always I’m very grateful for your help and advice.

Hope you are doing well.

Best wishes

Caroline

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toCaroline888

Caroline

Don't worry about not cutting completely accurately when trying for quarters, if one is slightly under then the quarter that is slightly over will be taken the next day. It's not critical with Levo. You can take a week's worth all in one dose if necessary.

Caroline888 profile image
Caroline888 in reply toSeasideSusie

Thanks Susie. That’s really useful to know!

What do you think of Kes8’s suggestion below? Is that a feasible option? The increase would be similar to the one you specify without the need for cutting up pills.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

Best wishes

Caroline

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toCaroline888

Yes, that's fine, saves messing about. I needed a very small increase and the easiest way I could think of doing it was alternating 100/150 to give 125mcg daily and then take 75mcg one day a week.

Caroline888 profile image
Caroline888 in reply toSeasideSusie

Thank you Susie. I'm so glad you support the idea as, as you say, it will be so much easier. So if I take 75 mcg Monday to Friday and 50 mcg Saturday and Sunday, that will be ok? I don't need to break the run of five days on 75 mcg with one 50 mcg dose?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toCaroline888

No, you don't need to break the run. It will be easier to remember if you take the lower dose at the weekend and the higher dose Monday to Friday. That will average 67.85mcg daily which is just 1mcg short of the original amount we were talking about so I think you will be fine.

Caroline888 profile image
Caroline888 in reply toSeasideSusie

Thank you so much Susie. I'm really grateful!

Kes8 profile image
Kes8

Could you take 75 for 5 days and 50 for 2 days giving you a daily average of 67.85 mcg?

Or some combination like that.

Caroline888 profile image
Caroline888 in reply toKes8

Thank you Kes8 for taking the time to reply to my post.

I very much like your idea of 5 days 75 mcg plus 2 days 50 mcg! It would certainly save me from trying to cut up a tiny pill. If I were to do that, would it be ok, do you think, to take 75 mcg Monday to Friday and 50 mcg Saturday and Sunday? Or would I need to split the run of five 75 mcg doses with one 50 mcg dose?

Thank you so much for your suggestion.

Best wishes

Caroline

Caroline888 profile image
Caroline888 in reply toKes8

Thanks again Kes8 for your suggestion. It seems to be a winner!!

I'm grateful😊😊😊.

Best wishes

Caroline

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Reducing thyroxine from 100 mcg to 75 mcg

I posted a few days ago about my doctor reducing my thyroxine from 100 mcg to 75 mcg. I managed to...
Tjqui00 profile image

Reducing thyroxine from 100 mcg to 75 mcg

My recent blood test is: FT4 18.4 (range 7.9-14.4) FT3 6.6 (range 3.8-6.0) TSH <0.02. My TSH...
Tjqui00 profile image

How am I supposed to function on 50mcg levo (base dose) daily without a thyroid?

Hello all, last week GP reduced levo from 75/50mcg alternate days to 50mcg daily. It's only a small...
DizzyD profile image

50mcg Levo and GP refusing to increase dose

Hi all, I was started on Levo at 50mcg in January and my GP said after retesting my bloods in March...

Can i increase my dose?

My doctor reduced my dose of levothyroxine to 125 mcg down from 150 mcg and i haven't felt this run...
hbkaneonite profile image

Moderation team

See all
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
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.