I’m wondering if I may be over replaced with thyroxine, I’ve been having a few symptoms going on for a while now, the most distressing of all being diffuse hair loss. I’m also experiencing oilier skin and very very light almost non existent periods to the point where I don’t really even need to use sanitary products. I’m also sweaty on and off. Maybe I’m clutching at straws but I’m desperate to put an end to this hairloss!!
Thank you!!
What are your current test results for
TSH
FT4
FT3
And how much Levo are you taking?
I’m taking 125mcg of Levothyroxine and my levels are TSH <0.005, Free T4 17 (7.0-16.0) and Free T3 5.8 (3.9-6.0) x
As your FT3 is still within range, albeit at the very top, technically you're not overmedicated. However, with this level of FT3 and over range FT4 these levels may not be right for you. We are all different as to where we need our hormone levels to be to feel well so it might be worth you lowering your dose of Levo and see what happens.
If those were my results I would reduce my dose by just 12.5mcg and retest in 6-8 weeks to check my levels see how I feel then reassess.
My doctor suggested reducing to 100mcg?
It's up to you. That was my opinion and what I would do. I have found that reducing Levo by 25mcg gave quite a big reduction in my hormone level and as you are only just over range for FT4 and still in range for FT3 then I think it makes more sense to make more gradual changes or you could miss your sweet spot.
You GP has undoubtedly been panicked by your suppressed TSH but it's the hormone levels that are important and those should be used when adjusting dose of Levo.
My doctor thinks that normalising my tsh could help my hairloss and I’m desperate x
It would appear that your GP has suggested reducing by 12.5mcg from 125mcg to 112.5mcg with these results according to your post here
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
"I was advised to drop my thyroxine be 12.5mcg from 125mcg to 112.5mcg by my doctor. TSH was suppressed at <0.005, Free T4 was one point above range at 17 (7.00 - 16.00) and Free T3 was at the top of the range at 5.8 (3.9 - 6.0)."
Also, what's happening with your Vit D now, discussed in this thread:
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu......
Other causes of hairloss which I linked to in a reply in that thread :
hubpages.com/health/16-Vita...
What's your Ferritin level?
He wanted to reduce to 100mcg, I suggested 112.5mcg. But I don’t think I do very well on alternate day dosing x
So you must have some 25mcg tablets to alternate 100/125 togive 112.5mcg. In that case cut a 25mcg tablet in half and take half a tablet daily with your 100mcg tablet.
What brand is your 25mcg tablet?
It’s mercury x
Hairloss only started when I reduced from 150mcg to 125mcg 😔
Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's diagnosed by high TPO or high TG thyroid antibodies ?
Hashimoto's frequently leads to very low vitamin levels
Getting vitamin D, ferritin and zinc tested, privately if necessary
Low ferritin or low zinc can be linked to hairloss.
2 years ago both SeasideSusie and I recommended getting full Thyroid and vitamin testing
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Did you ever do that?
Yes have had ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate tested. All except ferritin were low so now supplementing. I have always taken iron tablets. I’m just so very worried about the hairloss and also sudden oily skin. I’ve always had dry skin x
Skin will be improving now you are dealing with correcting extremely low B12 and folate
Oily skin will improve? It only became oily in April coinciding with the hairloss....
Hairloss can be linked to low B12. Obviously your B12 was very low
Getting thyroid levels retested 6-8 weeks after starting on B12 and folate supplements
In your first 5 posts two years ago....everyone in every post asked if you had had your thyroid antibodies tested ......if antibodies haven't been tested you need them done
Ask GP or test privately
When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested?
It's extremely common for vitamin levels to drop when reduced dose .....i.e. When GP made you reduce from 150mcg to 125mcg
Low vitamin levels can cause poor conversion and low TSH
What were your results on 150mcg Levothyroxine ?
Can see in recent posts you have just had BELOW RANGE folate and B12 ....these are likely low as direct result of dose reduction in Levothyroxine
These will be upsetting thyroid and suggest you leave Levothyroxine dose as is until all four vitamins are optimal
Have you had vitamin D and ferritin tested?
Presumably you are now on B12 injections or daily B12 sublingual lozenges plus either folic acid supplements or daily good quality vitamin B complex may be more beneficial than just folic acid
chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...
B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast
Igennus Super B complex are nice small tablets. Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks
Or Thorne Basic B or jarrow B-right are other options that contain folate, but both are large capsules
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
Low B12 symptoms
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
Low vitamin D and low B vitamins may be linked as explained here
drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Ferritin was 139 on last test, Vitamin D was nearly 50 and I’m still on loading doses. I’m taking sublingual b12 1000mcg and 5mg folic acid daily. This hairloss has been going on for six months now and is just not stopping. I’m losing my mind over it. I was getting daily headaches on the 150mcg so he reduced with out testing and the results after dropping to 125mcg are above.
So you had rock bottom vitamin D, B12 and folate
Getting all these optimal will help
Presumably you have Hashimoto's?
Hashimoto's frequently affects the gut and often leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
Are you already on strictly gluten free diet?
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...
The doctor didn’t test my levels before reducing me down from 150mcg to 125mcg, he reduced because I was getting headaches. After reducing to 125mcg my blood test six weeks later showed TSH <0.005 (0.38-5.0) Free T4 13.0 (7.0-16.0) and Free T3 5.1 (3.9-6.0) . Then the hairloss started and has been going on ever since. I still think is has something to do with reducing my dose 😢. I had come off of Sertraline a few months earlier and I think that’s why my levels had gone funny.
Periodic paralysis and thyroxine 
My results are very confusing please if anyone would kindly shed some light
Sick of this miserable existence 
Carbimazole causing very short period cycles (+ rapid drop in t4 on low dose)
Correctly written prescription...do they exist? 🫤
