Gaining weight!

[Day-skipper]

It's almost a year since my bloods were checked by Medichecks, and I was advised on here to take B12, selenium and Vitamin D. I have been doing this and I managed to lose about 4lb. However, I have now put on 5lb, and cannot shift the weight. Should I have another blood test, would this show I need more than 75mcg thyroxine a day, or any other suggestions?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Day-skipper

Yes, do another blood test, get current levels. I do mine routinely once a year for the full thyroid/vitamin panel and if I feel it necessary I will do a Thyroid Monitoring Test, definitely if I feel any hypo-type symptoms and if I change my dose.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

75mcg levothyroxine is only one step up from starter dose

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

Which brand

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

Do you have Hashimoto’s?

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)

[Day-skipper in reply to SlowDragon]

The brands I get are 50 mcg - accord

25 mcg - TEVA

I have not been officially diagnosed with Hashimotos, as my thyroid only stopped working after a bad chest infection while I was still on herceptin in 2016

I will follow the advice on the tests, and am waiting for the home test to be delivered.

I take B12, VitaminD and Selenium.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Day-skipper]

Suggest you get FULL thyroid testing including BOTH thyroid antibodies...plus essential to retest vitamins at least annually