Just diagnosed w/ Hypothyroidism - Any Advice or Information?

[AllTimeKerys]

Hi all,

I've just officially been diagnosed today with an underactive thyroid and I've just started treatment. I was wondering if anyone has any advice for me or any information I should know?

I'm 19 years old, 20 in May if that helps at all.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Presumably you were prescribed levothyroxine. At what dose?

Standard starter dose is typically 50mcg. Though some patients are started at higher dose

Always get copies of your blood test results and keep good records of how you feel on each dose and keep test results and ranges (on spreadsheet can help show progress)

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.

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change

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 yet

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)

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...

Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

Levothyroxine should always be taken empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more effective and/or more convenient taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.

Some like calcium, magnesium, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

come back with new post once you get results

[Treepie]

Have a look at Thyroid UK website for good information.

[Hidden]

That is so young to have thyroid trouble! Do you know what kind of hypothyroidism you have? You should have been tested for antibodies, as the most common kind of hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroiditis, or Hashimoto's (often just called "Hashis" on here).

This means that the immune system mistakenly starts attacking the thyroid.

When you post your blood tests we should be able to give more help and advice. As Treepie said, have a look on the Thyroid UK website for more information.