Levo reduction check blood test

[Shona64]

Hi had bloods done at 4.5 weeks after levo reduced but felt it was too soon. I’m sure it’s 6-8 weeks for dose to reduce and stabilise. Anyone know ? Thanks 😊

[bantam12]

Yes it's 6-8 weeks.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Shona64

It's 6-8 weeks after a dose change, some of us need the longer time.

If someone's just started Levo and it's the first retest then sometimes it's done after 4 weeks although some have to wait 3 months - there doesn't seem to be any consistency with anything to do with thyroid.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Better to wait 10-12 weeks after a reduction

Important to retest vitamin levels too

How much was dose reduced

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

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)

Is this how you do your tests?

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.co/tests/thyroid-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

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

[Shona64 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you been hypo for 9 years and used to be on here a lot so know all the tricks. I’ve booked for retest and will be 10 weeks. I need high T4 to get T3 at good level. Thanks for your help x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Shona64]

Or consider seeing a thyroid specialist endocrinologist who might prescribe T3 alongside the Levothyroxine

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Shona64]

Might want to read this article re high Ft4

thyroidpatients.ca/2020/09/...

Use it to persuade endocrinologist to prescribe T3

[Shona64]

I saw endocrinologist but told me I had CFS. I’ve no faith in them but have educated myself past 9 years and know my body after being severely Hypo and fobbed off .