I am not in the UK but I was hoping I could find someone nice enough to give me advice. I started levothyroxine about 2 weeks ago. I lost 2.5 pounds and then stopped. Why?
I'm still tired and my hair hasnt came back. What am I doing wrong?
25MG is my dose
You're not doing anything wrong. You were very lucky to lose those 2.5lb on 25 mcg levo in only two weeks. And, probably, it had nothing to do with the levo, because it takes levo about six weeks to work.
But, levo is NOT a weight-loss drug. It is thyroid hormone replacement - the thyroid hormone T4 - it replaces the hormone that your thyroid can no-longer make for itself. Did your doctor tell you that it would help you lose weight?
Also, 25 mcg is only half a starter dose, unless you are very old or have a heart condition, so it's not likely to do much for you, and could even make you feel worse! Did your doctor tell you to go back in six weeks for a retest? At that point, you should get an increase of 25 mcg, which you take for six weeks, and then go back again for testing. And, you continue like that until you are well and your symptoms are all gone.
When you go back for your retest, make sure your blood draw is early in the morning, fast over-night, and leave a 24 hour gap between your last dose of levo and the blood draw. And, always, always get a print-out of your results. You need to keep your own records.
Hypothyroidism is for life, and it can take many months to find the right dose for you. And, only when you're on the right dose can you think about losing the hypo-weight you've gained. Patience is essentail and there are no short-cuts. This is a potentially life-threatening disease, it's not just about weight. So, hang on in there, and everything will be alright. And, if you have any questions, there will always be someone here to answer them.
Welcome to the forum. 
I'm very frustrated. The weight gain, the hair loss, being so tired... I forgot my levels but the doc said we would be checking levels in a month or so. Why 6 weeks?
Do you take levothyroxine? I would like to know if you've seen anything positive
I can imagine you are. We've all been there. But, you are just starting your journey. It does get better, I promise. But, you have to be patient. Your illness didn't develop over-night, so it's not going to improve over-night, either.
It takes levo six weeks to be fully processed by your body. Before that time, you won't see much difference in your blood test.
No, I don't take levo anymore. I did for a few years, but I'm one of those unlucky people that levo doesn't help. I need to be on T3 only, with no T4 (levo). But, it took me quite a few years to find that out. However, there are many, many people who do very well on levo, and eventually get their lives back.
Have you lost all your hair or has it just got thinner?
25mcg is only half the standard starter dose of 50mcg.
Unless over 65 years old should start on 50mcg
Even if over 65 dose only starts low. Every person still needs dose slowly increased
Can you add results from before starting on levothyroxine
So you are simply getting ready for next step up in dose
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase
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...
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
Low ferritin linked to hair loss
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)
Post re getting dose Increased
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....
gp-update.co.uk/Latest-Upda...
New NICE guidelines
nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145/...
1.3.6
Consider starting levothyroxine at a dosage of 1.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (rounded to the nearest 25 micrograms) for adults under 65 with primary hypothyroidism and no history of cardiovascular disease.
BMJ clear on dose required
Hi
You cannot expec levo to work so soon. Number 1/ a good doctor should start you off on 25mg. Every few weeks you should have a new blood test and in your case the dose would go up to 50mg and the process would be repeated until you felt well again and your bloodtest shows the doctor that you are on the correct dose for you. I was very well for years on 125mg but suddenly started to fall asleep at about 9pm watching TV put on weight and the old aches in my joints returned once again. So went back to the doctors for tests. Now at 150mg I am full of energy again. Back to my old self. My advice to you is don't give up, stay on top of your underactive thyroid or you can become very ill. We all want to live the best and healthiest life we can don't we? So get back to your doctor and get this sorted out.
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