Under active thyroid medication

[Elliexox4]

Hi has anyone ever increased their level of Levothyroxine the medication doesn’t seem to be helping me and how long does it roughly take for the medication to work? I was diagnosed in august with an under active thyroid but I still have all the symptoms I had before I got treated

[cjrsquared]

What dose of levothyroxine are you on? We’re you started on 50mcg then had repeat blood tests after 6 weeks and then continued increase in dose in 25mcg increments with repeat bloods every 6 weeks until TSH under 2 or improvement in symptoms? If that has happened you and you are still symptomatic you need to look at vitamins and minerals to ensure your body can utilise levothyroxine effectively. You need good levels of iron, folate, vit b12 and vit d. Sadly gp’s won’t always test for all of these so worth considering private blood tests.

The average time to feel well is 6 months but for many it is longer. You need to be on an adequate dose. Is the cause of your hypothyroidism autoimmune, also known as hashimoto’s? If so research more going gluten free might help.

[Elliexox4 in reply to cjrsquared]

I was started out on 25mcg as I’m only 16 but then they increased it to 50mcg and they said it is starting to normal out with the 50mcg but I still have the same symptoms

[cjrsquared in reply to Elliexox4]

You need to get the actual results with ranges and post them on this forum, then we can advise you further. Sadly many gp’s aren’t very knowledgeable about thyroid problems. Have you had thyroid peroxidase antibodies tested to know if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune in origin, also known as hashimoto’s disease. If your hypothyroidism is autoimmune it doesn’t change treatment but you may be able to make some lifestyle choices that can help.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Here’s your previous first post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

As you are 16, can you see/speak to GP with adult helping

Have you had 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine up to 75mcg

Extremely important to get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested.

Has GP done this

[Elliexox4 in reply to SlowDragon]

No my levels are being kept at 50mcg I was started off on 25mcg as I’m only 16 they then increased it 50mcg but they said that it is starting to normal out as they done a blood test but I still have the same symptoms

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Elliexox4]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

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

When hypothyroid we frequently have low vitamin levels

GP should be testing these vitamins

Roughly how much do you weigh....the eventual dose of levothyroxine is usually based on how much you weigh

1.6mcg per kilo

We start on 50mcg, but dose is increased upwards in 12.5mcg or 25mcg steps upwards

Blood tests are repeated 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Next step is to get hold of all your results from before starting on levothyroxine and most recent tests

Come back with new post once you get results

[shaws Administrator in reply to Elliexox4]

Take advice of SlowDragon as few doctors actually know how to treat patients who have hypothyroidism. I have found that out myself and because I know a lot more now, the doctors knew nothing at all about a patient who had clear symptoms of hypothyroidism nor how best to treat them.

Blood tests for thyrid hormones have to be at the very earliest, fasting (we can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards. This helps our TSH to be at its highest as many doctors adjust dose according to the TSH alone.