Change in Medication?

[ShonaGreen]

Hi,

I started taking 50mg Levothyroxine in April 2019, had a few blood tests since then. As I’ve been taking meds for 2 months I thought it would be a good idea to check my levels again.

Recent results are below. My TSH is decreasing whilst Free T3 and Free T4 are increasing which is good news. My Ferritin level is still slightly high and has been for past 6 months (I don’t take any iron supplements). Folate Serum and Vitamin B12 Active are in normal range (I’ve started using the Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D sprays).

TSH - 0.577 (range 0.27 - 4.2)

Free T3 - 4.44 (range 3.1 - 6.8)

Free T4 - 15.1 (range 12 - 22)

Ferritin - 162 (range 13 - 150)

Folate Serum - 6.12 (range >3.89)

Vitamin B12 Active - 93.4 (range 37.5 - 188)

Thyroglobulin Antibodies - 236 (range < 115)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies - 21.1 (range <34)

I’m feeling a lot better since starting medication but still not feeling like myself. I get tired easily and putting on more weight, even though I’m able to return to exercising ( more weight classes and yoga but still haven’t the stamina to run like I used to. I’ve also been gluten free for last 3 weeks but not noticed any changes yet.

I’d really appreciate your thoughts about whether I need an increase in Levothyroxine or to take any more supplements etc?

Many thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your GP will be unlikely to want to increase your Levothyroxine yet, though you are likely to need dose increase soon

FT4 is not very high

FT3 pretty low

But GP will only look at TSH

Folate is on low side

You might be better to add a daily good quality vitamin B complex rather than just B12

B complex with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast

Recommended brands on here are Igennus Super B complex. (Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks ).

Or Jarrow B-right is popular choice, but is large capsule

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Suggest you test vitamin D soon

vitamindtest.org.uk

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You might ask if you could experiment with small dose increase in Levothyroxine

Alternate days 50mcg/75mcg

Always stick with same brand of Levothyroxine

[ShonaGreen in reply to SlowDragon]

Many thanks for your response SlowDragon, this is really helpful information and much appreciated. I’ll look into the Vitamin B Complex supplements, will be seeing GP in about a month’s time so will ask about increase of Levothyroxine.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ShonaGreen]

Come back with new post once you get vitamin D test results

[Aurealis in reply to ShonaGreen]

I’d increase the Levo before you see GP so you can explain what difference the dose increase made

[ShonaGreen in reply to Aurealis]

Hi Aurealis, that’s a good idea, thanks for suggesting it!