From a year ago, my ferritin level is up, as is the thyroglobulin. I eat small portions of red meat 4 times a week (e.g. 1 steak cut in two). It was suggested last year that I may have Hashimotos, but it has not been formally diagnosed.
I began to take Vitamin D , B12, and selenium. Is there anything else I should be doing ?
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Day-skipper
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How do you feel? Your free T4 is just over half way through range and free T3 just over a third. I'd like both to be higher myself, so if you don't feel tip-top maybe it's time to increase your levo by 25 mcg? Perhaps alternate days to start?
I do feel tired a lot, and my weight has crept up a couple of pounds, although I do keep to a healthy diet. I follow all the good advice, like overnight fasting, always cooking fresh food from scratch, and only in moderate amounts. My only indulgence is a normal glass of red with dinner...I make one bottle last 3 or 4 nights! I could up my daily dose to 100mcg, but should I consult my GP before doing so?
How well do you get on with your GP? How sympathetic/useful is s/he?
Given your results and SlowDragon 's useful link to prescribing by weight, I'd be inclined to talk to the GP - not least to get your prescription corrected so you don't run out of meds - unless the GP is a total nightmare
Also, if you get up to 100 mcg a day (perhaps in a couple of steps) you can avoid Teva if you don't particularly get on well with it! - I know you haven't mentioned issues with Teva but it's quite common and there aren't many companies that make 25 mcg tablets.
Suggest you try dose increase in levothyroxine.....initially by 12.5mcg per day and retest in 6-8 weeks
guidelines by weight might help push GP for dose increase
Even if we don’t start on full replacement dose, most people need to increase dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps (retesting 6-8 weeks after each increase) until on full replacement dose
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.
The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many patients 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.
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an 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 convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
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. Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap. Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
Suggest you see/contact GP to discuss dose increase
Perhaps print/email NICE guidelines out for them ....might help persuade GP to agree to increase in levothyroxine
I spoke with my GP and she has upped my dose to 100mcg daily. I have been on this now for nearly two weeks, and I feel so much brighter. I have also seen my weight slowly dropping already.
I have switched to gluten free crackers, so it looks like that is helping.
My resting heart rate seems slightly higher at 80, is this something I should worry about?
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