Levothyroxine

[tamina786]

My levothyroxine has been increased but still no energy in day 5 of taking

[tattybogle]

The first few days are too soon to tell anything, remember t4 is inactive , needs to be converted into T3 in cells, then those cells have to do whatever they do, and that will include catching up for whatever they weren't doing before, Also the pituitary will sense the higher amount in blood and cells after it's had a few days to build up, this will affect TSH and this in turn will affect conversion of T4 to T3. and production of T4 and T3 from thyroid if you still have one. All of these effects are subtle and take time.

In my experience, which will be different with everyone, i'd expect nothing much for a week , then maybe 2/3 weeks of feeling somewhat better . then you may well feel a bit less good again, and then after about 7/10 weeks you can decide how you are feeling on a new dose.

[Bob00752 in reply to tattybogle]

Agree with tattybogle. Half life in the body is about a week, so it may take 2 or 3 weeks before you get the full effect. You should also check that you are taking it on an empty stomach to minimise interactions with other food or drink. Last thing at night or first thing in the morning are too common strategies for levy. I struggled with both of these until I took advantage of my night time waking and now take it around 3am to 4am (I don't need an alarm as - * warning too much information alert * - I'm an old bloke in his 70's....). Milk can reduce the absorption of levy, coffee, grapefruit and other foods all affect it in different ways, hence the empty stomach advice. A friend (female) has also had success with the 3-4 am levo medication time.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts you have been on levothyroxine plus T3 previously

How much levothyroxine and how much T3

Why was T3 stopped

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking and which brand of levothyroxine

Many people find different brands are not interchangeable.

Couldn’t see any recent vitamin test results

Absolutely essential to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Please add most recent vitamin results and ranges

As you have Graves’ disease are you on strictly gluten free diet or tried it?

Or dairy free diet

[silverfox7]

It takes a full 6 weeks to get every new dose fully into your body

[Bluespots]

Oh, it can take weeks for levels to build up properly. Give it a bit of time for body to adjust and meds build up. Agree with tattybogle. Remember to take meds correctly with big glass of water, on empty stomach etc. Good luck.

[Josephineinamachine]

Hi - I had the thing where I felt better for a few weeks (it was so lovely!!) and then felt worse again. Is that normal and if so, why does it happen? Just had my dose increased and having immediate effects which now worries me as concerned I’m on too high a dose? So confusing!

[LorinK in reply to Josephineinamachine]

Hi Josephine. I had the same thing happen and spent a lot of hours reading medical abstracts trying to figure it out, as well as paying attention to what my body was doing! What I think is this: 25mcg was enough to signal “okay, go” to the rest of my hormones (female ones esp). But their regular function (actually also a compensatory function) requires more activity than the thyroid hormone levels were ready for, and thus made a harder demand without sufficient supply to back it up. I think this is why getting on a too-low dose is so bad — it fakes the body out, and makes it think it’s business as usual when it really isn’t yet, I’ve increased my dose a week and a half ago and I see a little bit of improvement. Hopefully this continues. Good luck!