Should I up my Levothyroxine now?

[Mizzme]

A month ago I posted my lab results. My biggest problems have been my hair & weight. I have hair loss & extreme dryness, nothing adds moisture & has been going on for almost 2 years. Also gained weight everywhere especially mid section, however some is probably peri-menopause. After your responses I made another appt & insisted on seeing a Endo or upping my medication. She would only up my medication from 75 to 88. That same day I had my hair appointment and my hairdresser said I have new hair coming in all over! The texture of my hair is finally getting better too. At this point the main changes I have made are taking Bovine Collagen, eating better & rarely drinking alcohol & added a shower filter. After I receiver your responses I have upped all my vitamins & I’ve noticed my nails are doing better probably from the iron. The problem is I’m not sure if I should go ahead and change to the 88 mg now or not. I’m seeing improvement with my hair now (texture is not back completely yet) but still overweight too. I don’t know if upping it would help or possibly make things worse, what could happen if it’s too much? Since I’ve starting incorporating the right amount of vitamins could that be enough to correct my thyroid level without the medication change? I’m suppose to have started it & go back in 6 weeks after a blood test. If I don’t start it & do the bloodwork in 6 weeks she will probably not retest again if I decide to start it at that point. Here are the lab results I posted previously.

TSH .83 range .40-4.50

T4, Free 1.2 range .8-1.8

T3, Free 2.4 range 2.3-4.2

Thyroid Peroxidies Antibodies 1 range <9

Vitamin D,25-OH, Total, IA 32 range 30-100 >30 optimal

Ferritin 64 range 10-232 optimal 50

Vitamin B12 582 range 200-1100

Folate, Serum 12 range 5.4> optimal

Thank you for your help

[AnneEvo]

From what I've learned on here your ferritin is low - as the range is 10-232 so long as it's 10 or over doctors will say that's ok as it's withing range. I can't tell you what's best but it should be at least halfway through that range.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge will come along and help with the rest.

[Mizzme in reply to AnneEvo]

Thank you, yes I received help in my first post as to where my vitamin levels should be. I have made the changes to my vitamins including iron. I just really need to know if these changes can be enough to make my thyroid levels optimal or should I try the higher dose of Levothyroxine. I was told previously that I am under medicated but my doctor really has no idea. So should I try the medicine change or see how I do on just the vitamin additions? My GP will only do one my blood test so I need to make a decision. I really do not know what could happen if the 88mcg is too much. I am hoping someone can tell me their option. ????

[AnneEvo in reply to Mizzme]

Sorry I can't help further; I don't know enough myself. If I were you I'd give the supplements a bit longer to see if they help.

I'm a bit the same. More tired since I started levo. I found I was vitamin D deficient so currently supplementing. But don't know if that's the reason I'm tired or maybe need an increase in levo - I'm going to wait a while longer and see.

[Mizzme in reply to AnneEvo]

I don’t know enough to know if the vitamins can do the job or not. I can give them more time & take the blood test. If I’m still low I can start the higher dose then but she’s not going to retest me. Kind of a hard call but I guess I’ll take my chances. Thank you for your help I appreciate it.

[AnneEvo in reply to Mizzme]

If you're in the UK you could always pay for another test yourself if endo won't do another. Medichecks and Blue Horizon seem to be used by most on here for blood tests. Medichecks usually have money off on Thursdays. Worth thinking about if it's in your budget.

[vocalEK]

Going from 75 to 88 is a very small change. Usually Levothyroxine is increased in 25 mcg increments. Also, your Free T3 and T4 are very low -- in the bottom quarter of the range. So yes, go ahead and take the larger dose, but you may still need more. Also, it looks to me as if your Vitamin D and B12 could be higher, but there are others with more knowledge than I about vitamins.

[Mizzme in reply to vocalEK]

Thank you so much! I’m really confused on what could happen if it’s too much. Just don’t want hair loss I’m so happy it’s finally starting to come in & feel better! My GP said 88 was the next step then 125 I was surprised I thought it always went up 25. I have started taking more B12, D, B complex, and iron (may have forgot a couple I take a lot), so my levels should be rising. I’ll start taking it then & reschedule my text for 6 weeks. I really do appreciate the help!