too much, too soon

[olga67]

I have been taking levo 75 mcg for 10 days now after being 3 weeks on 50 mcg and feel really bad. I did it without a blood test. At first I thought that the side effects would subside but it is getting worse. I am guessing that I took too much too soon. I am going back on 50 mcg. I have blood test in three weeks. Would this increase show up on the labs? Will the extra 25 mcg leave my system by then?

[olga67]

P.S. I have Hashimoto and hypo

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are both the 25mcg and 50mcg Levothyroxine the same brand?

Or are you taking 75mcg tablet? If so this will be by Teva

as only Teva make 75mcg

Teva brand upsets many, many people

[olga67 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, It is the same brand, Euthyrox. I take 50+25. 75 mcg Euthyrox is also available but I do not have it.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just seen you are in Netherlands, not Uk

You do need to wait at least 6-8 weeks after each dose increase before doing blood tests

Likely you increased to quickly

Really need to wait 6-8 weeks after reducing dose back to 50mcg before testing

Are you on strictly gluten free diet as you have Hashimoto's?

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

while still eating high gluten diet Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet




(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)




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...

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thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

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

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

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[olga67 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your help, SlowDragon. I am on gluten free diet. I also have pernicious anaemia and SI B12 daily. Resent Vit D was 86.

I took 75 mcg only for ten days. I cannot decide whether to postpone my appointment with endo ( which is very hard to get) and the blood test or take my chances in three weeks.

[silverfox7]

Difficult one that. Things work very slowly in ourctgyroid world and retesting is usually recommended after 6-8 weeks. The reason being that it takes a full 6 weeks to get each new dose fully into the system so you have had 10 days plus the coming three weeks before your test is due but that isn't nowhere near the 6 weeks needed for testing. Sorry just re read and see you would have had 6 weeks before your fist test, forgot about the time before you upped your dose, so it's up to you really I would go as planned butvyou have two alternatives, stay on the lower dose and say you got a bit confused and changed your dose part way though as you weren't feeling any better but now realise it takes the full time to make a difference to returned to the lower dose. I think I would rather confess than risk him saying dose is about right as that leaves you with more uncertainty. But if you don't say anything and levels are still not optimal then you could keep quiet about the extra doses as you would be on a further 6 weeks trial and that should reflect then how good you dosing is then. Next you will have have another 6+ week trial period where you have been on the new dose throughout the 6 week period so back to normal. The real decider though it how much medication have you left? With talking extra for 10 days have you enough medication to last till you see the doctor again?

[olga67 in reply to silverfox7]

Thanks Silverfox, I appreciate your input. The pills are not a problem. I have mine own stash of Euthyrox, a family member bought it OTC in Spain. I would like, however, to have mine labs and levo dosage on the record as I have also pernicious anaemia and tachycardia and under care of neurologist and cardiologist. I think I’ll keep the appointment as it is and see what happens. I am second day on the previous dose of 50 and already feel better, that is what really matters. My experiment with 75 mcg went wrong but was a valuable lesson to learn, I’ll be more cautious in the future.