Confused

[pablo1882]

I had a partial thyroid lobectomy about 4 years ago since then I have been taking Levo. I'm on 150mg a day I don't take anything else. Lately, my blood pressure has lowered and I am finding to difficult to lose or maintain my weight. I am reasonably fit 52 years old. I use the gym 5 to 6 days a week and do cardio-intensive workouts as well as weights. I eat reasonably well, maybe a little too much at times but not often. I am 114 kg presently BP averages 110-115 over 65 to 70. I normally weigh around 108 kg. Do I need to be taking something else to help with my weight? Thanks all.

[greygoose]

You're probably under-medicated, and over-exercising. Do you have any lab results on that dose - or a previous dose? If so, post them here and let's have a look. We can't tell you much without seeing them.

[shaws Administrator]

It would be advisable to get a 'whole' blood test to judge what your levels on levothyroxine are. The advice is that all blood drawn for thyroid hormones should be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards.

You may just need an increase in dose to bring TSH to 1 or lower and FT3 and FT3 in the upper part of the levels (I know that the latter two are rarely tested).

A 'Full Thyroid Blood Test' consists of TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

Blood draw should be at the very earliest, fasting and don't take thyroid hormones until afterwards.

GP probably wont do all of these but you can have a 'home blood test' and I will give you a link to private labs that do Home Tests if you'd like to do this. Make sure you are well hydrated a few days before blood draw.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Post your results with the ranges on a new post for comments.

Levothyroxine can cause weight gain in some people if not on an optimum dose.

If your TSH is above 1 you may just need an increase. in dose.

For information this is from STTM.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine?

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

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)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Come back with new post once you get results