Eltroxin dosage

[Nessynu]

Hi. I have hashimotos over a year and my medication has changed up and down. A few weeks ago my legs from the knees to toes felt powerless and always ice cold. I increased my dose of eltroxin at home and it resolved my leg issue however my feet and hands remain cold but I am aware of an increase in my heartbeat. I'm now confused. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You will need to retest bloods 6-8 weeks after any dose increase

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with Hashimoto's

When were vitamins last tested?

What vitamin supplements do you take

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose 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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all 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

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.

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first




Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

[Nessynu in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks slow Dragon. I'm gluten free a month now and it's definitely helped. Awaiting blood results again. I've purchased izabella Weisz book last night from Amazon as it's on special this week. I'm supplementing with vit D and vit c every morning and im taking rhodiola as i think my adrenal are under pressure. I've had a food intolerance test and it came back low on some vitamins and advised to cut out wheat gluten and sugar. Have you heard of anyone else with my leg issues? Felt like they were numb and like ice water inside them. Thanks in advance.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nessynu]

Not heard of these symptoms. But I always found my ability to walk was very badly affected if thyroid levels anywhere off perfect

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Is it always the same brand?

[Nessynu in reply to SlowDragon]

I was taking 75ml per day but felt under medicated so I now take 75 ml and i break a 25 ml in two and take half. This has reduced my leg issues but not fully. I've tried 100ml daily and felt very over medicated with insomnia, fast heartbeat etc. I always get the same brand from my gp.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nessynu]

Many have to increase dose very slowly.

Once on 87.5mcg for several months, you may then need to step up again to 100mcg

Important to test all four vitamins regularly. It helps thyroid hormones if these are all optimal

[Nessynu in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you slow Dragon. I never taught about increasing more slowly. That explains my increased heart rate. I will get my vitamin levels checked again. Your knowledge is so helpful. We would be lost without this brilliant site.

[Murphysmum in reply to Nessynu]

Nessynu , I can’t offer much advice I’m afraid, but I just wanted to let you know that I suffer from leg weakness in particular too.

My levo dose has been up and down over the last 18 months and although many other symptoms have gone, this never has. I am now trialling T3 to see if that helps.

It can be a very disconcerting feeling - many times I have felt as if my legs don’t belong to me, or that they may just collapse under me and most of the time they just feel like they’re filled with lead.

As I say, sorry I can’t be of more help but it’s sometimes nice just to know you’re not alone 😉

[Nessynu in reply to Murphysmum]

Thank you murphysmum. Glad to hear Im not the only one. It's not a nice feeling at all. Let me know how the T3 goes. Thanks again.

[7jaie]

Try to get synthroid or Thyroid s. Eltroxin has too many side effects. Just read the side effects. Rather take selenium and zinc and use diet

Essential oils also help remove root canals also. Teeth are the main issue here as well especially if u had or have amalgams. But do not remove amalgams until you have a bio dentist and have researched andy cutler. Also clean up your gut issues.

[Nessynu in reply to 7jaie]

Thanks 7jaie. I will certainly look into your advice.