Recent Hashimotos diagnosis - latest blood tests ‘normal’ but feel awful

[Mfjames]

Hello! This is my first post since being diagnosed with Hashimotos and hypothyroidism in September and starting Levo (Teva) in October.

Would appreciate advice on latest GP blood test results (UK) that came back ‘normal’ , as my symptoms at times feel worse than before I was taking meds (extreme fatigue, hair loss, low mood, aches, sleep issues...) But next steps given are to increase Levothyroxine to 50mg a day and go back for thyroid test in 8 weeks.

From other posts here seems like I may need to push for vit D , cortisol, T3 tests or go private for these extra tests.? Thanks!

TSH - 3.95 (down from 11.8)

Liver function looked borderline abnormal but not flagged:

Serum ALT level - 34

(Should be under 30 women)

Hba1c - 31 (20-41)

Serum folate- 10.8 (3-20)

B12 - 506 (187- 883)

Serum ferritin - 72 (22-275)

Many thanks!

[NWA6]

Hi Mfjames. Welcome to the board 🤗 Sorry you have to be here. 😞

Can I ask if you’re an elderly person? 25mcg starter dose is very low. Usually the starter dose is 50mcg.

TSH and FT4 are good starter tests. If they are in range and you still don’t feel well or optimally treated then it may be necessary to do FT3 but I wouldn’t worry about it initially.

[Mfjames in reply to NWA6]

Hello - thanks for your helpful reply

I’m a woman in my 30s. I’m not sure why it was decided to start me on 25g so I hope that increasing the dose will help!

[NWA6 in reply to Mfjames]

Well I don’t know why they started you on 25mcg 😩 that’s reserved for children, elderly and those with heart conditions.

When are they moving you up to 50?

How do you feel atm? How do you feel from before diagnosis and after on Levo?

[Mfjames in reply to NWA6]

Yes seems strange from what I’ve been reading here! I’m now on 50 and getting tested again in 6 weeks - thanks !

[Jazzw]

A TSH of 3.95 isn’t normal for someone who’s commenced thyroid hormone replacement. It’s likely you won’t start to feel lots better until your TSH falls below 1.0 so a raise in dosage and a new test in 8 weeks is the right thing for your doctor to do.

Most people end up on at least 75mcg a day (and some end up on considerably more).

[Mfjames in reply to Jazzw]

Hello! That’s very helpful to know thanks as I was just told it’s within normal range and I discussed increasing the dose, but clearly it should be much lower now I’m on Levothyroxine. So hopefully my next blood tests will show this.

[Nanaedake in reply to Mfjames]

You will need to increase levothyroxine dose to get TSH nearer to 1 which is where most people seem to feel well once on levothyroxine.

[crimple]

I know you have only just started treatment with levothyroxine, but I noticed that you are taking Teva, which quite a few people do not get on with. For me it caused terrible stomach problems, I thought I was developing an ulcer. I changed pharmacies and went onto Actavis/ Almus. I think it is now Accord, but things improved a lot. The issue for me was acacia powder in the fillers. It is something to bear in mind if you continue to feel unwell