Increase in Levo ? Lipids ?

[Yellow1955]

Just had a call from GP surgery my Levo needs to be increased by 25 to 125 as there are concerns with my lipids ?? The receptionist called me and she could not give me any further info,and it’s 3 weeks for an appt ! Does anyone have any idea what this could be please.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone 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

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in levothyroxine

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 is in top third of range and FT3 at least half way through range

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

So an increase to 125mcg is not unusual

high cholesterol is linked to being hypothyroid

verywellhealth.com/combatti...

healthline.com/health/high-...

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.

You’d be amazed how many GP’s don’t know they are connected....so good your GP recognises the link

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

[shaws Administrator]

A higher cholesterol level is common with those who have hypothyroidism. It should reduce as your dose is gradually increased. At least your doctor has increased your dose.

Unfortunately, some doctors start prescribing medication to lower cholesterol, when it will reduce gradually as and when on an optimum dose of levothyroxine. Some Doctors seem to be badly trained and are apt to prescribe for a 'symptom (of which there are many)" as being apart from hypothyroidism.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...