Levothyroxine Questions

[BHJONES85]

Hello Everyone!

I have been managing an underactive thyroid for nearly 20 years, with the last few year having to take 150mg of Levo. The doctor says my thyroid is operating at the high end of normal function. Can anyone give advice on obtaining a different brand of medication to try?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

BHJONES85

The only reason you'd need a different brand of Levo is if you had an adverse reaction to the brand you are using.

If, as your doctor says, your thyroid is "operating at the high end of normal function" then you would be looking at altering your dose of Levo.

If you post your latest test results, including reference ranges (they vary from lab to lab) for:

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

then we will be able to see if your are overmedicated and need to alter your dose of Levo.

[BHJONES85 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Much thanks for your reply. I will enquire about getting results. On my last bloods appointment I had my platelets tested as I had a kind of rash on my leg and my thyroid bloods were due for a review. With all being well they said they did not want to check my thyroid for another 12 months. Kind regards!

[Treepie in reply to BHJONES85]

You have the legal right to have your test results so do not be put off.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

150mcg is not an especially high dose of Levothyroxine

How do you feel?

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

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.

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

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. 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

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten.

So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges

[BHJONES85 in reply to SlowDragon]

Initially when I got diagnosed with the underactive thyroid, I thought I was suffering with depression through bereavement, and I had lost hair, put on weight and my general drive had slowed. I was also having tests for Bilirubin as this was also showing up in my blood tests. I am much better these days compared to then. My hair is better quality and my energy levels are back. I get hand trembles here and there, I do have the occasional cold sweats during the night even thou I generate heat. Through reading on this site, I thought there might be a better medication out there. I am going to enquire about my test results on my thyroid and I will post them on here! Kind regards..

[Angel_of_the_North]

"operating at the high end of normal function" is not a scientific statement and it is not really clear exactly what it means. Do you have tests results for free T4, free T3 and TSH? Thyroxine is thyroxine, and a different brand wouldn't make any difference (apart from the fillers, which you might be allergic to in some brands). If your results are too high or loo low, you'd need a dose adjustment or the addition of T3 (fat chance!), not a different brand

[BHJONES85]

Hi! I am hoping to get a chance to call into my local surgery and ask for the results of my last thyroid function test, I will be posting it here when I do so to get some insight. I am oblivious too what 'free T4,free T3 and TSH mean?