Does levo stimulate thyroid or does it just replace ft4 when it is low?

[Fiaxseed]

I'm recently off carbimazole because it sent my ft4 too low and consequently the symptoms are awfull. I'm dragging myself through the day. Lots of other symptoms I'm not familiar with. My go prescribed levo at a low dose. Some people say it may help others say it could make worse. If I knew what action levo has on thyroid I could make the decision to take it or not to take it. Thank you.

[Lalatoot]

Levothyroxine is a replacement hormone. It replaces the hormone T4that your thyroid no longer makes. It does not stimulate the thyroid.

[Fiaxseed in reply to Lalatoot]

Thanks very much.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you had TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested yet to see if you have Hashimoto's?

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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).

[Fiaxseed in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry people- no hasimotos or graves.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Fiaxseed]

You can have Hashimoto's and never have raised antibodies

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

FT4 is clearly very low.

What about vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels?

[Fiaxseed in reply to SlowDragon]

Dear slow dragon thank you.

The above function test resulted during carbimazole treatment for t3 thyrotoxicosis.

I'm told I have a problematic thyroid and surgery is recommended. In the meantime my gp has prescribed levo at 25 MCG every other day. I'm very hestitant to do that. I have very little confidence in my gp. It seems apparent I was over medicated on carbi and now she wants to give me levo. It doesn't make sense to me.and probably not much sense to all other people with a thyroid that behaves like mine. So currently I'm not taking anything and talking on this site is the only bit if common sense I've come across so far.

[Fiaxseed in reply to Fiaxseed]

Actually slow dragon. I think taking levo now as gp said. I won't really know what my thyroid is doing. And therefore best to ride it out (low ft4)until next function test.

[Fiaxseed in reply to SlowDragon]

I also appreciate the importance of vit. Status. My request is deemed to be unnecessary as I am now a surgical patient rather than a medical one in my gp's eyes.

[Hidden in reply to Fiaxseed]

Did they test both Hashimoto's antibodies?

[Fiaxseed in reply to Hidden]

Hi SewinMin. Do you mean tpo and tg ? If so yes.

[Hidden in reply to Fiaxseed]

Yes, I did.

[Fiaxseed in reply to Hidden]

Yes. They tell me there aren't any. I think the little critters may be hiding. x

[Fiaxseed in reply to SlowDragon]

Tsh 1.4 (range 0.5-5.5) ft3 5.1/range 2.7-6.1 ft4 9.2 range 11.0-22.

[Hidden]

Yes, the symptoms of low thyroid are awful. Do you think you feel worse than before? I hope you feel better very soon.

[Fiaxseed in reply to Hidden]

Yes really awful. Would love to know my function levels as they are now since stopping carbi but gp says wait 2 months. Sort of hoping my ft4 will improve on its own. Bit scared to take levothyroxine. Not sure what they will do to me. I read of people on it here but I haven't read of anyone taking for low ft4 after a cock-up on carbi.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Fiaxseed]

We actually see quite a few started on carbimazole incorrectly when they were actually in early stage Hashimoto's. Early stage Hashimoto's often starts with transitory hyperthyroid symptoms and blood tests.

My own GP assumed I was hyperthyroid, well over 20 years ago. Fortunately my TPO and TG were sky high.

Suggest you test thyroid and vitamins privately via Medichecks or Blue Horizon 6-8 weeks after stopping carbimazole

[Fiaxseed in reply to SlowDragon]

I see. Thank you.

[Fiaxseed in reply to SlowDragon]

Can you recall if levothyroxine was the appropriate treatment during the low phase ?