Quick question

[Angela]

Dr changed my thyroxine from 100 to 125 a few months ago I might be wrong but should they have retested after 6 weeks??

[Treepie]

After 6-8 weeks.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes, correct, bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

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).

[shaws Administrator]

Yes, we are usually retested to see the whereabouts of the TSH for which the aim is a TSH of 1 or lower. GPs seem to think that a TSH 'in range' means we're on a sufficient dose, but that's not the case.

The main question and most important one is:-

How are you feeling on your increased dose?

Make a new appointment and - just in case you are unaware of the routine -

Make the earliest possible appointment.

Fasting (you can drink water).

Allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and test and take afterwards.

Food and coffee and milk can interfere with the uptake of the hormones, therefore allow a gap of an hour between taking the hormones and food etc.

endocrineweb.com/conditions...

[Angela in reply to shaws]

Hi shaws I never thought of it before I had the increased dose in may since June I have been feeling rubbish never connected it before or thought it could be the problem or maybe it is not connected but definitely going to sort many thanks 🤗

[Angela]

Thank you that's exactly what I thought when I went to see the doctor last week she said we only do these test once a year definitely will ring tomorrow...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Angela]

Did you get blood test?

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

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

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Do you always get same brand of 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. Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half

Teva and Aristo are the only lactose free tablets

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...