Worried about taking levothyroxine for first time

[catsmummel]

Hi guys. I`ve got Autoimmune thyroiditis. My TSH has shot up to 27, but my t4 is normal. I have no symptoms of hypothyroidism, I feel fine, but mt GP wants me to start taking levothyroxine 25mcg to support my thyroid + hopefully stop things developing any further. I`m scared to take them ( should be starting tomorrow morning) in case i then have too much hormone in my system + get bad side effects. Any reassurance would be lovely, i am really worrying about it, thanks. x

[jimh111]

Your TSH stimulates your thyroid to secrete T3 and T4. As these fall TSH increases rapidlyb to try to stimulate more secretion from the thyroid. It's important that you ask your doctor for your fT4 figure (and fT3 if there is one - probably not done). If your fT4 is towards the lower end of its reference interval (numbers in brackets) then it is reasonable to start taking the levothyroxine. If your fT4 is near the middle of its reference interval e.g. 15.0 (10.0 - 21.0) then you do not need levothyroxine.

It will make little difference if you take the levothyroxine or not, 25 mcg is a very small dose. In the long term (if your fT4 is low normal) then it is a good idea to take the levothyroxine for three reasons. 1. You may be experiencing symptoms but not notice them, the symptoms can come on very slowly. 2. If your thyroid hormones are low it can lead to high cholesterol and other adverse effects on the heart. 3. Your thyroid will probably deteriorate further, so it helps to keep your levels good.

Try and get your fT4 result and post it here. In the meantime it won't matter much either way if you take your levothyroxine, you can always discontinue it if it turns out you don't need it.

PS Once you have been diagnosed hypothyroid and put on levothyroxine you are entitled to free prescriptions in the UK, ask your doctor for a form.

[catsmummel in reply to jimh111]

Hello there, + thankyou. I asked about the ft4, but gp says they can`t do it.

My t4 was 11.4

Thankyou for all that info, it really does help knowing you`re there with all this information, + i`m actually not freaking out like i was now. So Thankyou so much again.x Didn`tknow about the free prescriptins. Thankyou

[jimh111 in reply to catsmummel]

You didn’t give the reference interval for the fT4, maybe you don’t have it. Assuming the fT4 assay has a typical reference interval you fT4 is borderline so it makes sense to start levothyroxine. You will probably need a higher dose as 25 mcg is a very small dose. Rarely the TSH assay can be subject to interference and give a false result, that’s why I asked about the fT4. It looks like your thyroid is starting to fail. When you have your appointments make sure you tell your doctor how you are doing so they don’t just treat your blood tests.

[catsmummel in reply to jimh111]

Hello there + thankyou. No, all i got was the straightforward t4 no, + that was it. Didn`t get on very well with my first tablet today. Set my gastritis off really badly, pounding heart, palpitations, + light headed. Now i feel like crap to be honest.

[catsmummel]

Hello there, + thanks for replying.

Thanks very much for that. I`m just having a bit of a panic over it. x

[catsmummel]

Thankyou. Never even thought about anything crashing I will start taking my tablets in the morning. I`ll also get the free prescriptions thing sorted as well

[catsmummel]

Hi, i don`t have any kids. So no worries there. My mum actually has celiac disease. I was tested a few years ago (bloods) but it came back negative. I`m naturally gluten free anyway, as i can`t tolerate wheat, it totally zonks me out, so on the off chance the test result wasn`t right i`ve at least got that covered.

[radd]

catsmummel,

Welcome to our forum.

Hashimotos is renowned for raising & decreasing the TSH level. It is also renowned for an insidious progression, ending with the complete destruction of the thyroid gland, necessitating thyroid hormone replacement for life.

But you are asymptomatic and things may not deteriorate for many years, if ever. Many people live healthy lives with thyroid antibodies. Do you know what your antibody levels are ?

25mcg levothyroxine is a very small dose but why take even a small dose if there is chance you may not need it ? You would benefit from reading The Root Cause by Isabella Wentz and organising a comprehensive thyroid blood test that measures free T4 and free T3 levels. Also iron and nutrient levels that encourage healthy thyroid function.

Members who have uncooperative doctors use private labs and post results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

[catsmummel in reply to radd]

Do you know where i can get the required bloods done at all please? Thanks

[radd in reply to catsmummel]

catmummel,

.

private testing labs

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Angel_of_the_North]

If you have no symptoms, how was it diagnosed? Do you really have no constipation, feeling cold, feeling tired, forgetfulness, etc? 25mcg is not the normal starter dose (it's 50 mcg), so it might be worth asking GP why you are being given the dose for those who are elderly, frail or have heart disease. Too low a dose can make you feel much worse. Were you taking a vitamin supplement containing biotin when you blood was tested - if so the result may not be correct. However, if you have high antibodies, it's usually best to start replacement hormones and nip it in the bud.

[catsmummel in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Hello there, + thanks for replying. I was first diagnosed when i had a full bloods done in 2010 for totally unrelated problem. Can`t even recall what it was now. Anyway, my TSH came back at 5,25, so they did an antibody check, + i had levels of over 200. Over the years, i`ve hovered around the sub clinical area, last year went down to a TSH of less than 2, i`ve never had any problems, wouldn`t have known there was anything wrong with me. Then this last yearly bloods, TSH had gone up to 27. Antibodies are over 200 (they had decreased to less than 50) . I`ve asked for various other bloods to be done, pleaded virtually, but they won`t do them. Took my first tablet this morning. It set my gastritis off within 40 mins, really badly. I`ve had pounding heart, palpitations, + light headedness. Been to A.E earleir today, had ECG, all ok, but really not wanting to take tab againtomorrow. Am thinking of cutting it in half if i do. Gp may have put me on smaller dose as `im underweight. Only 7 1/2 stone. Judging by todays reaction, i don`t think i could tolerate a higher dose to be honest.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to catsmummel]

Small doses can be worse than higher ones as they let your thyroid think it can take a rest but don't provide enough hormones to make up for what your thyroid was producing before. You weight about the same as me, so unless you re very tall, I don't think that's an issue. Antibodies rise and fall all the time, often depending on how long ago you last had an attack (usually an attack makes you feel more hyper - either energetic and good or anxious and sweaty). If it was Teva brand, many people have adverse reactions to it - it's the fillers/excipients in the tablet. You can yellow card it (look up on internet how to do it) as gastritis wouldn't be a normal reaction even to a dose that was too high. But stomach disorders are a hypothyroid symptom, so you may have symptoms you didn't associate with being hypothyroid.

[catsmummel]

hi there, it def wasn`t that brand of tablets, + it was def the tablets that set it off. I keep it under control with diet, + i`m very strict, willpower of steel, lol. I only need the very occasional Lansoprazole to settle it when i`ve been doing something i shouldn`t, like, bending/crouching a lot, or overdoing the dancercise, as squashing/stretching it spark it off.

[Clare0116]

25mcg is a tiny dose and you are lucky to be diagnosed so quickly (often takes years of chronic illness). Yr Dr is taking care to start you on a low does to protect your heart. He will ask you to do regular blood tests and perhaps increase dose. Take your daily tabs, learn to avoid soy and brassica (cabbage type foods), as these will damage your remaining thyroid gland. Hashi's Curse is an auto-immune hormone failing often brought on by stress, so see what you can do to protect your thyroid by healthy living/life changes? You may now find that wheat and milk give you chronic indigestion, pains, bathroom hurry 😯 Free prescription for life now 😀

[catsmummel]

Hello there, + thanks for your reply I do have problem with wheat, can`t take it at all. Cut that 1 out years ago, but dairy, so far, isn`t a problem. Hope it stays that way. I`m strict vegetarian, gluten free, + due to my long term chronic gastritis, i can only tolerate a total of 30 different foods + drinks. If i deviate at all from my diet my stomache kicks off. I`ve cut ot all the "bad" thyroid foods, but thankyou for that anyway the only pre packed stuff i have is gf bread + pasta, but only very occasonally, + cheese, i have that once a week as a treat. Got to have something right, lol the rest of my diet is veg, fruit, nuts, seeds, dairy, the only liquids i have are water, decaff tea, + milk, which i have on my oats. I have to admit, i am a very stressed, on edge person, always have been. My hubby will back me up on that one, lol. I will look into doing some sort of relaxation, or meditation i think, got to be worth trying, cos im sure my thyroid would thank me for it The free prescriptions is def a big bonus

[catsmummel]

Hi everyone Ok, so, since having that 1 x 25mcg tablet, my resting heart rate has increased from 65 - 70 bpm, to over 85. If i get up + just walk to the kitchen, + i`m literally just shuffling at mo cos stomache`s so bad, my bpm shoots up to 110 plus. I feel like i`m all screwed/crunched up inside + want to keep stretching to ease the tension. Could the extra hormone still be affecting my system? or could adding that bit extra have thrown everything out of kilter?, or could it be that despite my high TSH, my body doesn`t want, or isn`t ready to have extra hormone added to it at this point? I`ve remembered something from about 4 years ago, that my t4 went up to just over 14, + it coincided with me being in vest top + shorts when it was only about 6 degrees outside, i was even gardening dressed like it. It was like i was a human radiator. Only lasted about 10 days, then i was ok. So i`m guessing, that means a t4 of 14 is too high for me. My gp wants me to try just half a tablet on Thurs, to see how my stomache reacts, but at mo, it`s chronic, am on high dose of lansoprazole, all the excess acid has bought on my ibs, + i can barely eat more than few mouthfulls at a time. So we`ll see on that one. Is there anyone out there who is actually ok on thyroid hormone replacement/ because it seems it`s just one problem/nightmare after the other

[catsmummel]

Hi guys. I ended up in in hospital with severe crushing chest pains. was kept in overnight. Heart bloods were all ok, thankfully. Think it must have been the anxiety i had that caused it. Due to see gp on 8th April to talk thyroid. Feel very shabby now, tired, get up go has cleared off totally, + i`m wondering if it`s some sort of backlash from the tablet i had, like, i was totally hyper, + now i`m opposite. I guess you could compare it to a sugar rush, you`re great, then you get the low afterwards once the sugar wears off. i`m hoping i`ll go back to normal. I don`t like this at all My Antibodies were 235 at the hospital. Tsh 30. + t4 11.7