Advice Please

[jackiesg72]

Hi im new to this site but very happy to be here. i have had an underactive thyroid for over 20yrs i dont feel any different if i am taking thyroxine or not, my doctor has advised me to take 250mcg of thyroxine which i refused to take more than 200mcg as i have read that this is the highest dose you should take, i have mentioned T3 but like many doctors my doctor seems to have very limited knowledge on the thyroid

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Welcome to the forum Jackie.

There is no highest dose of Levo, we need what we need, whatever that is.

However, if you are taking 200mcg and don't feel any different, presumably you mean you are still symptomatic?

For members to comment and help, we need to see your test results along with their reference ranges. If you don't have them just pop along to your surgery and ask at the reception desk for a print out, we are legally entitled to have our test results in the UK and they can't charge for them.

Post results and ranges on the forum, as many as you have, and for a full picture we really need to see

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Do you always take your Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, with a glass of water only (no tea, coffee, milk, etc) and water only for one hour each side?

Do you take Levo 2 hours away from any other medication and supplements (some need 4 hours)?

Do you have any other conditions that you take medication for - if so what medication?

Do you take HRT?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

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.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn't been tested yet (often only TSH is tested which is completely inadequate)

Essential to take your Levothyroxine everyday and always on empty stomach

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

Ask GP to test vitamins and antibodies if not been done

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).

Is this how you do your tests?

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

Come back with new post once you get hold of GP results and/or private tests

[Miffie]

When I moved to my current county the GP practice decided to give me levo instead of the dessicated I had taken for forty years previously. It was put up every blood test until I was on 400. Don’t worry about a maximum dose. We need what we need. Take care. x