Feeling low

[Elliexox4]

Hi, in august of this year I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and it has affected me badly since then I have noticed a complete change in my mood I would cry for absolutely no reason and the medication still doesn’t seem to be working I’m only 16 and was put on only 50mg does anyone know anything to take to help it

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Suggest you get an adult to go with you to see GP

50mcg levothyroxine is only a starter dose

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

Do you know what your blood test results were from before starting on levothyroxine?

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

About 90% of hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, so it’s likely, but GP should test thyroid antibodies to confirm

Ask GP to test vitamin levels too

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)

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Have you noticed if you always get same brand?

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

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

List of different brands available in U.K.

dropbox.com/s/6h3h0qi4eqwi6...

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.

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).

Getting a weekly pill dispenser makes it easier to remember to take levothyroxine every day

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)

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

[Buddy195 Administrator]

This is so common with under active thyroid conditions, so please do not worry. I’ve cried buckets and felt very low when under medicated and having low key vitamins. Can you post your recent blood tests (with ranges)? 50mcg is only a starter dose of Levo so it’s highly likely you need an increase. Do any other family members have thyroid problems? It’s a good idea to have your vitamins checked with your GP......you may be low in B, D or ferritin (iron) but you need to check levels before supplementing.

Best wishes to you!

[shaws Administrator]

Elliexox4, Welcome to our forum and I'm sorry that someone as young as yourself has hypothyroidism.

Our whole body relies upon thyroid hormones for it to function normally, i.e. that we feel well with no clinical symptoms.

Our brain and heart have the most T3 receptor cells and and we have millions in our bodies. All of which need T3.

Thyroid hormones enable our whole body to work properly. The Active Thyroid Hormone is called 'liothyronine' = also known as T3.

The 'Inactive' Hormone is called levothyroxine = also known as T4.

It is a big learning curve for you - as it is for all members of Thyroiduk as I wouldn't have recovered without their advice. I was a mature woman and had never heard of hypothyroidism - but neither did it appear that any doctor I consulted knew either. I had eventually had to diagnose myself.

SlowDragon has given her usual excellent advice and if you follow it too, hopefully you will soon find that you will feel much better once you are on an optimum dose. We have to increase gradually.

It is a big learning curve for us at the beginning but I hope you begin to feel better soon and if at any time you feel unsure, always put a message on the forum and it will be answered.