Weak

[Gary1o6101]

I have weak legs and a bit unbalanced

Been like it months . My last TSH was 18 and I am gluten free with hashimoto's

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Are you on Levothyroxine?

If so how much and do you always get same brand of Levothyroxine?

See GP urgently

Your TSH is far too high so you need 25mcg dose increase in Levothyroxine and bloods retested 6-8 weeks later

Low vitamin levels are extremely common with Hashimoto's, especially if under treated

Request GP tests B12, folate, vitamin D and ferritin too

Low B12 can cause dizziness (like walking on a ship at sea)

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

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).

[Gary1o6101 in reply to SlowDragon]

My so called Doctor only doing TSH .next week I am on 100mg levo and went to see a endo and he was just has bad has the Doctor. So I have low vitamin D been taking vitamin D and use b12 spray.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gary1o6101]

So has Levothyroxine been increased up from 75mcg to 100mcg?

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in Levothyroxine

Guidelines on eventual dose Levothyroxine required is 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight

How low was vitamin D?

Has GP prescribed vitamin D, if so how much?

Local CCG guidelines

clinox.info/clinical-suppor...

GP will only prescribe to bring vitamin D up to 50nmol. Aiming to improve by self supplementing to at least 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better .

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Retesting twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function.

It's trial and error what dose each person needs. Frequently with Hashimoto's we will need higher dose than average

[Gary1o6101 in reply to SlowDragon]

My Doctor a couple of days ago wanted me to take 100mg in morning and 50mg tea time I said no . I not up in my dose by 50mg . I been on vitamin D for 6 months gone from 22 to 36 so still low . My last antiebodys test was about 3500

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gary1o6101]

Most people with Hashimoto's have to increase dose Levothyroxine slowly. 25mcg step up maximum

Retest levels in 6-8 weeks

Increase again if need be

Levothyroxine should always be taken on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and may be more effective taken at bedtime

All medication at least two hours away from Levo. Some like HRT, PPI's, magnesium, iron or vitamin D, at least four hours away

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

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. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet.

[Gary1o6101 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I stick to wockhardt I have try different brands I can cope with them . Yes have unbalanced like drunk ,weak legs , and polly feel a bit funny . I am not to bad once up in the morning but has day go,s on than when it gets the worst .

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gary1o6101]

Get GP to test B12, folate and ferritin

Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex may be better than just B12

Improving vitamin D can exacerbate low B vitamins as explained here

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

And discussed in this post earlier today

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...