fed up - levothyroid med not working

[hydra065]

After hemi thyroidectomy 2 years ago I aquired hypothyroidism few months after.

Synthetic t4 prescibed dose went 25 - 50 - 75 over period of time. Now 100 mg and no improvement - typical symptons = weight gain , depression and lethargy.

Prepared to consider self medicating and looking for recommendations where to buy Armour without prescription in the UK.

please reply via private message.

Ta

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Low vitamin levels need improving by supplementing for good thyroid function

Essential to know how good your conversion is BEFORE starting on T3 or NDT

You may simply still be under medicated

TSH should be around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

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 .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Jazzw]

Just to echo SlowDragon - 100mcg is not a huge dose of levothyroxine.

What are your actual thyroid blood test results at the moment? If you’re going to go down the self medicating route (and many of us have to) you will need to know what they are and get used to interpreting them. But it may simply be that you need more Levo and your vitamin and mineral levels may need some assistance from supplements.

We’re always happy to have a look at blood test results if you have them to hand - results and lab ref ranges.

[Nanaedake]

I also had a hemithyroidectomy - your symptoms may be due to low vitamin levels or something else rather than your thyroid hormone although they all work together. I was very unwell for a number of years but after making quite a few changes and taking vitamin and mineral supplements, getting off other prescribed medicines (which I was prescribed for thyroid symptoms or because doctors didn't know what to do to help) I was able to reduce dose of levothyroxine, find a regular NHS levothyroxine that suited me and now stick to it and then started feeling well enough to begin a slow exercise programme and improve nutrition.

Check which type of levothyroxine you are taking, find one that suits you and always take the same one. Many people find that TEVA does not suit them, for example, although a few people get on with it. Get your vitamin levels and blood tested as SlowDragon has suggested, post your blood test results here and get some help. Your doctor will probably not know what to do to help you, they tend to simply offer more drugs.

Do you have any coexisting health conditions as this may affect how you utilise levothyroxine, in particular, if you are taking other medications you may have difficulty absorbing levothyroxine.

May I ask the reason for hemi-thyroidectomy as it could affect how you manage aftercare and how levothyroxine is managed.

[hydra065 in reply to Nanaedake]

Hello Nanaedake, my apologies for the lengthy delay . I had a 5 cm goiter removed - which was benign.

[silverfox7]

Make sure you find out if you are converting well before you try self medicating as you can't tell when taking/adding T3 or NDT. it's as well to sort out vitamin levels first as well as not only could that be were your problem lies some people can't take a change to them either if Vitamins etc aren't in place first.