I was diagnosed hypo in July 20,started on Levo at 50mcg..beginning of Sept symptoms returned ,Levo increased by 25 mcg (75 mcg all in)..I take them around 9am on an empty stomach,no food for at least 1 hr after..my energy levels are still low and I appear to be losing my hair (no bald patches !)..my energy levels drop rapidly by mid afternoon and I become anxious and irritable as the day goes on (my poor husband is suffering) I want to start taking my own natural vitamins but really don't have a clue where to start or if they will interfere with the Levo...I am under Rheumatoid specialist from the start of my symptoms in May and I suggested it could be thyroid after I conducted my own research..I asked the Rheumatologist for blood tests to check vitamin and antibody levels and he refused 🤷♀️..there doesn't seem to be any consistent communication between the hospital and my gp..any advice please.
Hair loss,brittle nails,anxiety attacks - Thyroid UK
Hair loss,brittle nails,anxiety attacks
Hi Mitzimoomin
It sounds like the start of my story! I would say you are still undermedicated. Those are all the symptoms I have when I need an increase. It feels like a battle between consultants who all fight to have you as a patient even though just correctly and effectively treating the thyroid would be the right thing to do. Maybe it would reduce their workload and they'd lose money 
Have you considered a private blood test to check the vitamin levels that need to be good for the thyroid to work well? And to have a clearer idea of where your thyroid stands on the medication you take?
If you could post your latest blood test from the GP (always with the lab ranges as they vary) then there are people on here who can give you helpful feedback.
Thank you,I have sent a rather long and indepth response to SlowDragon.
Previous post
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Did nurse test thyroid antibodies and vitamins at last test?
What were most recent thyroid results and ranges?
It takes 6-8 weeks each dose increase to have effect.
Bloods should be retested again after 6-8 weeks on increased dose
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
Are you currently taking Teva?
Teva, Aristo and Glenmark 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?
The first (and only written) results I have are from Rheumatologist at St St George's on 22/7/20...T4 2.7 & TSH 6.7 from this I was prescribed Accord Levothyroxine @50mcg
Since the start of my symptoms in May 20 I have had bloods taken on 22/5 which showed markers of Acute Kidney Infection (no treatment given)..call on 2/6 from AKI clinic requesting more bloods.. bloods taken again on 9/6 (at GP)..more bloods on 16/6 (at GP) Dr referred me to Rheumatologist at St Georges..20/7 physical examination with Rheumatologist and more bloods (at which point I requested they check my thyroid function,after I had self diagnosed my symptoms!)..22/7 correct diagnosis and treatment given.
Recurring symptoms lead to repeat Thyroid blood test 26/8..
1/9 Levo increased by 25mcg MercuryPharma brand via GP
Rheumatologist call on 15/9 requesting more bloods!..last bloods at St Georges 21/9..no vitamin/antibodies functions have been tested.
There is a lack of cohesion between the hospital and GP and I don't appear be getting any written/verbal results.
I'm not on any Vitamins/supplements yet,and would really appreciate any advice/private testing clinic please.
First step is to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing
How long have you been on 75mcg levothyroxine
Which brand levothyroxine are you currently taking
Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine?
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose or brand change in levothyroxine
If that’s a few weeks wait ....
You could test vitamin D now
Test everything else in few weeks
Please add ranges on these results
22/7/20...
T4 2.7
TSH 6.7
from this I was prescribed Accord Levothyroxine @50mcg
Ft4 looks extremely low
Sorry typed them in wrong..T4 27
TSH 67 on 22/7
Just received a call from my GP and my levels are going in the right direction..apparently they've conducted full thyroid function and antibodies and vitamins..only slight abnormalities was Vit D..Dr has now prescribed Vit D to collect tomorrow.
Kidney/liver/cholesterol levels all normal range..and CK level down from 2000.
Started on 50mcg Levo Accord on 22/7
Increased by 25mcg Levo MercuryPharma on 1/9
I have been on 75mcg since 1/9 50mcg of Accord brand and 25 mcg of MercuryPharma..GP has requested full repeat bloods around 12th Oct..said correct levels take time...happier now I've had a proper explanation.
Thank you for taking the time to help me.
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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
If GP won’t test ....like thousands of U.K. patients, you will need to test privately after 6-8 weeks on new increased dose
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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)
medichecks.com/products/thy...
Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test
Thriva also offer just vitamin testing
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3
£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code
With those symptoms, read posts about and look into your ferritin levels (iron)
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