Medicine

[R4RAA]

Hi l have ran out of my medicine haven’t taken them for 7 days. When will I start feeling unwell even though I don’t think my medication really works anyway.

Thanks

[greygoose]

Could be any time now. How much were you taking?

[R4RAA in reply to greygoose]

100mg

[greygoose in reply to R4RAA]

Well, you'll have about half of that left in your system now.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to R4RAA]

Previous posts said you use to take 150mcg .....so if you are now only on 100mcg this may be why you don't feel Levothyroxine is currently working

When and why was Levothyroxine reduced?

Do you have recent blood test results and ranges you can add?

Or .......Once you get back on 100mcg for 6-8 weeks would suggest you get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing

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

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).

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

[R4RAA in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi yeah I will be taking another as my GP has lost my results.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

How come you've run out? Why not request your prescription?

If you don't feel it works, post your latest test results (with referece ranges) and members will comment.

[Jazzw]

Having recently done this - and regretted it! - any time now. Good news is, if you get back on your meds soon, it shouldn’t do any lasting damage. Don’t leave it much longer...

Why do you think it doesn’t work for you?

[helvella Administrator]

In the UK, pharmacists will usually let you have an emergency supply. Could be just one or two tablets, but if it is going to take any time to get a new prescription, try asking a pharmacy directly.

[Lalatoot]

Why do you feel it was not working? If you explain a bit more then we might be able to help. Although you probably wanted to try without levothyroxine please understand that it could make you worse to stop.

[R4RAA]

I was on 175mg then doc said I was over medicine and put it down to 150mg then after 6 Months had another blood and the doc put it down again to 100mg I have been on 100mg for a while had a blood test a Month ago and GP said can’t find results. So I think I need to take another one going to GP tomorrow to see if I can get my medication.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to R4RAA]

You are legally entitled to ALL your printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

Do you have results from when on 175mcg?

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

[Edison13]

Ring 111. They can arrange for emergency medicine.

[McPammy]

I don’t understand when you say the Dr has lost your results. They are all digitally collected and available to him/her.

I stopped Levothyroxine once last year. A very long story. Day 10 was when it hit me. I became very unwell. I would not support stopping Levothyroxine. You probably need an adjustment to your dose if you felt it wasn’t working.

[gingerthecat]

I thought it was dangerous to stop taking your Thyroxin? Go back to your GP and explain why you don't think it is helping you. And as Admin says on here, you will still have some in your system, so in another 7 days you might be feeling awful. It would be really interesting to know how you get on.

[JaneChapple]

Hi R4RAA

They cannot possibly lose your results as mentioned above these days they are all digital! First of all I would ask to speak to your practice manager and if you get nowhere put in a formal complaint about the loss of your results. They shouldnt be allowed to get away with this. You can register on line and get enhanced access to see and print off your results. Ideally you need the last 3 lots of results including ranges to see what is going on. You are probably under medicated by now, but without seeing them its just guess work. You can also ask to see another GP if you are not happy with yours, or even move surgeries if necessary.

Hope you got your meds!

JaneCx

[R4RAA in reply to JaneChapple]

Hi thanks for the reply I went to the GP today to get the forms to sign up for online services. I ask her again about my results and she said she cannot see them then I ask to speak to practice manage she said the manager wasn’t available and I must phone up tomorrow or come back🙄

[JaneChapple in reply to R4RAA]

Hi R4RAA

If you dont get anywhere by phoning up ask for an appointment with the practice manager or leave your number for them to call back. This is not good enough service from a GP surgery and they will do anything to put you off or write a letter and ask what has happened to your results. They should be doing another lot of bloods at the very least including Ft3 and Ft4, TSH,TPO, Tgab, Vitamin D, ferritin, folate B12 as it is their fault they lost your results. They must be somewhere. They will probably refuse but its worth a try.

Hope you get somewhere.

JaneCx

[HypothyroidNomore]

Go see your GP.

[GKeith]

If your T4 levels are normal but your T3 are (usually very) low you (probably) have a conversion problem. It could also be a problem with a vitamin deficiency or high cortisol levels, and you should be aware that some endos believe there to be a RT3, Reverse T3, which can be checked also. My endo doesn't "believe" in RT3 and many others don't either, so use your best judgement. The main thing is if you are hypo or hyper your FT4 will eventually wear off and you will either get terrible headaches or feel (much) better. If you feel better you probably weren't converting at all and/or are having adverse reaction to the T4, either because of the brand name or maybe you just can't (no longer) take it; in which case T3, or NDT, is (probably) what you will need. I am just adding my 2 (sometimes 3) cents worth but I really think you should use your own judgment along with the advice you get on here and from other, maybe even some who are medical professionals as well as human beings. (very hard to find) Peace be with you.

[Angelic69]

When you run out be careful as you could slip into coma if you are not careful, are you very sleepy.