NEW UPDATE!

[Pumpkin04]

So lots has happened since I last posted! Back in April I got a phone call out of the blue from my GP. Following our diasterous appointment in March he rang me (rather sheepishly may I add) to say the the hospital had written to him to say they were not seeing any patients referred for the foreseeable. He said given everything I've been through he felt sorry for me and said he would prescribe me Thryroxine! So he put my dose up from 50mcg to 75mcg and told me to book in another blood test. I had the blood test a couple of weeks ago and then got a phone call from the GP to say that my TSH had got worse (gone from 3.2 to 5.4) despite an increase in my script. So he has put me on 100mcg but said that he would need to prob put me up to 125mcg after my next bloods. He also said that the hashi's antibodies had increased since my last test. I've been on the 100mcg for a couple of weeks now (since 24th July) but still feel rubbish. Aching, my legs feel like they are burning up! And I'm so tired stil I keep having to have a lie down every couple of hours. In addition I cannot concentrate on anything. I set out with good intentions this morning to go for a walk at lunch time however I physically haven't got the energy to put on my shoes! Any one have any advice?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First question

Is the 100mcg levothyroxine a different brand from previous

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

Teva and Aristo are the only lactose free tablets

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Teva poll

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).

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

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

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)

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?

When were vitamin D, folate , ferritin and B12 last tested?

Aching legs often low vitamin D

Ask GP to test vitamins now ....or certainly at next thyroid test if not done before

[Pumpkin04 in reply to SlowDragon]

Great thanks I take a multi vit and that's it. I'll ask for my levels to be checked. What other vits do you recommend taking for Thyroid issues?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pumpkin04]

Multivitamins never recommended on here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Definitely need to stop any supplements that contain biotin a week before any blood tests as biotin can falsely affect test results

Come back with new post once you get results

[tattybogle]

I would advise patience . antibodies and TSH gone up both indicate your body is busy trying to keep you level, and dose increases take a long while to have full effects at a cellular level, even without active changes from your own system happening at the same time.

I'm eventually realising after over 15 yrs on Levo , that for me, i don't settle down on a new dose until about 10 ish weeks after it changed.

It's so frustrating , i know , when you wake up feeling ok , with a plan, only to discover that having breakfast and a wash and getting dressed, is all you're getting for the time being.

but be patient, and pace yourself. Break activities up , and do things in little spurts.

Things will get better now you are getting closer to a full dose, but at your body's pace , not yours i'm afraid.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to tattybogle]

Would agree...if you have the patience....waiting 10 weeks before testing or at least that long before expecting improvements in symptoms

Pacing energy output so essential

[Pumpkin04 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you.

[Pumpkin04 in reply to tattybogle]

Thank you

[greygoose in reply to tattybogle]

Actually, the antibodies rising doesn't indicate anything. They fluctuate all the time.

[tattybogle in reply to greygoose]

I kinda agree..... i don't think it indicates anything you can do much about. My point was that they are definitely busy, indicating there's a lot going on at the moment.

[greygoose in reply to tattybogle]

Well, I expect they're out in force to clean up after that latest attack on the thyroid. That's all they do.

[tattybogle in reply to greygoose]

Yes , that. 'Hoovers en masse'

[greygoose in reply to tattybogle]

Exactly.