Eltroxin fillers

[Nessynu]

I'm on Eltroxin 75ml daily and feel worse. I'm wondering if the fillers are affecting me but how do I find out? Can my doc test if the problem is with the fillers used in Eltroxin?

[Aurealis]

It’s more likely that your dosage is wrong, that can make you feel very poorly. Can you post your latest test results with ranges?

[Nessynu in reply to Aurealis]

Thank you. I'm getting bloods done this Friday so will post results. Last time I asked for my results all I was given was THE which is 5.64 range is 0.3-4.2 and Free T4 which is 17.4 and range is 12-22.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

You need to get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing

Bloods should be retested after 6-8 weeks on constant unchanging dose of Levothyroxine

Ask GP to test Thyroid and vitamin levels

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 or if under medicated

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

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

Medichecks currently have an offer on until end of May - 20% off

thyroiduk.org.uk/index.html

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH under one) and FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine. Also 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.

come back with new post once you get results and ranges

[Nessynu in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm getting bloods this Friday so will post results . I'm gluten, dairy and sugar free over 6mobths and that has really helped with symptoms however I feel eltroxin makes me dizzy, fatigued and sore weak muscles in legs and back and shoulders etc.

[Nessynu in reply to SlowDragon]

I also have tried the optimal way of taking my dose on an empty stomach and not eating breakfast for an hour after but this keeps me awake until after 3am most nights. I was so sleep deprived that I now take my dose at bedtime and Sun asleep by 11am. The insomnia went on for 5 months until I changed to the night time dosing.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Nessynu]

Vast numbers of patients find Better to take Levothyroxine at bedtime

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Other medication at least 2 hours away, some like HRT, iron, calcium, vitamin D or magnesium at least four hours away from Levothyroxine

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after.

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

[Nessynu in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you once again Slow Dragon. Your a wealth of information thank god!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Not quite sure what you are taking. You say Eltroxin and then mention doses in millilitres (ml). Do you mean that you are on liquid Eltroxin? And, for clarity, that you are in the UK? Some products are different depending on where you are.

Eltroxin tablets in the UK are different to those in many other countries. Made by different companies and having different formulations.

[Nessynu in reply to helvella]

I'm in Ireland so Eltroxin 75 Mcg daily and 100 Mcg on Sat and Sun.