Thyroid Meds

[Tilly0088]

Hi,

I am recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, as a result of stress from cervical cancer in 2017.

I was put on 100mg Lethyroxine and then up to 125 mg about 8 weeks ago, my skin (bad spots) heeled, my fingers which always crack got better and I felt less bloated and fatigued. I went for a blood test two weeks ago and the GP said I being slightly over treated... she suggested I take alternate doses 100mg and then 125mg. I have never felt worse, my skin is terrible, my fingers are sore and I have been constipated for 4 days I feel SO tired I could fall asleep writing this lol has anyone else experienced what the blood say and then how they feel ? Thank you Tilly

[Wetsuiter]

Tilly did you actually get a copy of your blood tests?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Far too frequently doctors only medicate according to a TSH

Just testing TSH or TSH and FT4 is completely inadequate

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

Ask GP to test vitamin levels (and thyroid antibodies if not been tested)

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

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 did the last test?

Add results and ranges if you have them

Or come back with new post once you get results

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

it's common for TSH to drop very low when we are on correct dose of Levothyroxine to get Ft3 high enough. FT3 is the MOST important result....not TSH

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)

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

[GKeith]

Post your blood tests. It sounds as if you should have raised your dose or added some T3. Peace be with you.