Raised meds but feeling worse

Hi all. My tsh came back at 11 after I went to docs with dizzy spells. It’s been constantly just below 1 for years (if not decades) so bit of a surprise. They put up meds from 100mcg to 150 with request to redo bloods in 6 weeks (this was a fortnight ago). In the meantime I feel noticeably worse. Is it just the delay in the meds catching up? Anyone had this? When am I likely to start feeling the benefits of the higher dose any guesses (piece of string and all that 🙄)? Thanks in advance (btw don’t know T4 - or t3 if they even did they). X

[NWA6]

That’s quite a big jump from 100 to 150. Really you should have gone 125 and then 150 after 6wks. Some people don’t do well when it’s so intensive 😬 if you feel worse I’d maybe reel back to 125 for at least 3wks and then move up.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Tillyxx

According to previous posts you have Hashi's. This causes fluctuations in symptoms and test results as the immune system attacks the thyroid and causes swings between hypo and "hyper". The fact that your TSH has jumped lrom 1 to 11 shows a hypo swing at the time of the test. Dose adjustment is the right thing but 50mcg increase may be too much. Increments are usually 25mcg each time. It takes up to 6 weeks for the full effects of a dose change.

btw don’t know T4 - or t3 if they even did they

Make sure you get a print out of your results every time you have a blood test. This way you can understand and monitor your condition, and when you post your results (with reference ranges) on the forum members can give a more informative reply.

[Hidden]

Thanks both. I did wonder about the 50 increase (they’re normally very cautious is my vague memory from the past). Will raise it with the doc on Friday.

[Girlscout2 in reply to Hidden]

50mcg isn't a big dose increase, I'd sat it's more likely you aren't converting to T3, you need a full thyroid panel and a look at your cofactors

[suztango]

Hi I suffer from vertigo and I notice that I get get a bad patch of vertigo about 4 weeks after my levothyroxine dose is increased. After another 4 weeks it subsides. I’m not sure why I get the vertigo yet, but obviously connected. (I also got it when I did a short synacthen test- adrenals).

I’m not an expert on dizzy spells, although I’ve had them for 20 + years - just wanted to let you know you’re not alone.

[765nottyash]

I found higher dosage never help me, I have been lowering my dose slowly every couple of months and actually feel better for it. My main improvements have been through my diet, giving up dairy (except butter), soy and gluten.

[Hidden]

I've enough digestive system problems (coeliac disease, bile salt malabsorption) I'm not sure I could bear to look any closer at my diet ). Though (touch wood) that all seems fairly under control at the moment (tempting fate I know).

I'm just wondering if acute stress can cause a big fluctuation with hashimotos do you know? My husband was rushed into hospital a month or so ago with allegedly pneumonia which didn't respond to treatment. We though we were losing him at one point (it's turned out to be some weird inflammatory condition which is currently responding to steroids) BUT i was living literally on a knife-edge of terror (dry mouth, sweating palms, not sleeping, no appetite) for probably 3 weeks (whilst attempting to behave like normal for a 9 year old). I assume the effects of this would take longer to show on the TSH though would it? Just wondering out of curiosity....

In fact I only went to the docs for reassurance as was convinced my dizziness was just due to the stress of situation with husband - she insisted on doing an MOT (good woman) and that's when the TSH thing turned up

[NWA6 in reply to Hidden]

Stress is a huge factor with any autoimmune disease.

[Hidden in reply to NWA6]

That's interesting Paula. Having two of them - any ideas why that might be, is there a scientific reason for it (ie production of hormones during stressful periods or whatever) or just statistical?

[NWA6 in reply to Hidden]

I’m sure there was a publication that said stress was as big a factor in heart attacks as smoking and that stress was a greater risk to health than high blood pressure - although the two would go hand in hand I’m sure but you know what I mean.

Also many patients report going through stressful situations before the onset on an autoimmune condition and worsening of symtoms in established patients. Your rise in TSH when you have been stable I thinks shows a direct correlation.

I myself only went through a house renovation and extension but it was so stressful and not at all smooth, I did this for over 8mths and then I went downhill rapidly.

I firmly believe if you live in ‘fight or flight’ mode for a prolonged period of time or indeed on and off over a period of time one really does mess up ones stystem and the whole body over reacts. Some other clever person would know the science and the effects of the adrenals and Thyriod condtions.

[Sukiling]

Hi, I find that my thyroid goes haywire if I'm majorly stressed. It can take a few weeks to settle and I'm careful to avoid self medicating with a higher dose during this time (too much medication is as bad as not enough for me).

Also, I take my tablets about 3pm, well away from caffeine or food.

Just thought I'd share; everyone is different.

Sue xx

[Hidden]

Thanks sue. I’m kind of hoping that might be the case here (tho if so I guess the meds hike won’t be good). Watch this space I guess. I’m very careful with meds timings too but definitely worth pointing out xx

[Freddyy]

Did you take LT-4 before blood work up?

[Hidden in reply to Freddyy]

Is that thyroxine? If so, yes (ridiculously it hadn’t crossed my mind the issue would be thyroid related it’s been stable for so long it’s just not on my radar)

[Hidden]

hi all,

I posted the above a couple of months ago when my TSH went up to 11 (after decades of it being managed nicely on thyroxine).

I've just had my bloods back again and after 8 weeks on an extra 50mcg - now on 150 - it's still over 9. I do still feel rough - irritable beyond belief (it's been a happy summer holidays for all ), definitely verging on depressed (i put this down to the fallout from the husband crisis but maybe not), waking every 2 hours so tired. I'm still struggling to keep weight on (but am coeliac with bile salt malabsorption too so I'm assuming that's the culprit here). Doc is calling me back on Weds - I assume to discuss putting up meds again. Anything else I should ask him? Is it odd that it's not reduced at all, or is it just that I need more thyroxine)?

thanks in advance