Increase in Levothyroxine 50mg to 75mg, feeling worse also bleeding

[Sparklechick]

I was on 50mg and feeling much better, had bloods done and My GP increased my dose from 50 to 75 just over a week ago. I’m now having stomach cramps, and having menstrual bleeding again. Before being diagnosed, I was bleeding for 3months, just one of the symptoms which prompted a GP visit leading to Hypothyroidism diagnosis. After a few weeks on 50mg, bleeding stopped and I felt great! Now it’s been increased by 25mg, the bleeding has started again and I’m feeling tired and rubbish again. Anyone else experienced similar? I’m on the mini pill so don’t normally have periods.

[shaws Administrator]

When quite newly diagnosed and levo is being increased we might feel worse until dose is increased until our symptoms are relieved but you did say you felt an improvement initially.

However, I think you have to tell your GP that you are bleeding again and your dose of 75mcg is quite low and levo is gradually increased by 25mcg every six weeks until you feel better.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at your previous post you had high TSH of 61 so likely to need further increases in Levothyroxine

Is increase in dose a different brand of Levothyroxine?

Many people find different brands are not interchangeable. Teva brand in particular upsets many people, due to different fillers. It's the only brand to make a 75mcg tablet.

Which brand did you start on for 50mcg?

Ask GP to test iron and ferritin levels. Being hypothyroid often makes us Anaemic, obviously lots of bleeding may make this worse

Also need vitamin D, folate and B12 tested too. These are frequently too low and need supplementing to improve as well

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested yet to see if cause of your hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's? If not request Thyroid antibodies are tested

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including what foods to avoid (note recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours away from Levo)

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

NICE guidelines

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

The initial recommended dose is:

For most people: 50–100 micrograms once daily, preferably taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast, caffeine-containing liquids (such as coffee or tea), or other drugs.

This should be adjusted in increments of 25–50 micrograms every 3–4 weeks according to response. The usual maintenance dose is 100–200 micrograms once daily.

[Nanaedake]

Ask your GP to rule out other possible coexisting conditions such as PCOS as well.