Hi everyone I'm wondering if anyone will know if your TSH can change after6 weeks after lower dose of Levo?
My last blood work was the 23rd Sep which showed a TSH of 0.05 mU/L ranges are 0.30-4.50 mU/L on 50mg Levo
Just got my bloods for Nov 6th which now shows a TSH of 3.53 mU/L ranges 0.30-4.50
Unfortunately he never did T3 and T4 or antibodies so I requested they be done their and then to which they were done so I'm just waiting on them so I can see what levels they are..my GP has now dropped me to 25mg Levo...I have told her I feel awfull no better I have had a bad tremor today really jittery all day 😭😭😭
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birkie
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Your GP is confused ....with TSH of 3.52 your dose of Levothyroxine should have been increased NOT decreased
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
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
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 .
It's a common mistake among doctors to test and dose by the TSH only. You need to have your free T4 and T3 tested as well.
I'd say your are now borderline hypothyroid with a TSH above 3 which is also confirmed by how you feel.
Is there any way you can get your doctor to test your free Ts, or have testing done privately? If your doctor continues to adjust your dose based on your TSH alone, chances are you will never feel any better!
I made my GP do the T3 and T4 and anti bodies while I was their as I said you can't do a full thyroid function test and not do T3 T4 and anti bodies was surprised they did them my stupid GP was supposed to do them but conveniently left them out well his not getting away with it so just waiting on them then will post them..🤔🤔
Like many under active thyroid patients, I need my TSH to be under 1.0 to feel well. Recently my TSH spiked up to 1.7 and I have felt awful for weeks. Your dose of Levo needs to increase I would say. If 50 is slightly too much then the correct advice would be to take 50 for say two days then 25 one day then back to 50 for two days. That kind of thing. That way your dose is slightly lower only. Taking 25 is probably pointless !
If your TSH was suppressed on 50 mcg, and over 3 on 50 mcg, that does not necessarily mean you need 37.5 mcg to feel well. It's when the TSH is too high (and too high is most often already above 2 or 2.5) that you tend to be symptomatic, NOT if it's low in range or even suppressed as long as your free Ts remain in range and you have no hyper symptoms.
True, a suppressed TSH is used to diagnose hyperthyroidism, but along with elevated free Ts and hyper symptoms such as heart palpitations, increased sweating, revved up metabolism etc. If hypothyroid on hormone replacement, you shouldn't go by the TSH alone to optimise thyroid hormone replacement.
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Confused by TSH levels
