About to increase Levo after 20 years....

[Levo50]

So a GP has agreed with my quoting I would do best if my TSH was closer to 1 (last reading 3.1)... he agreed guidelines have changed!

With thanks to @SlowDragon and our exchange of DM’s, I quoted a few impressive articles - the GP actually asked if I was a Doctor myself (lol)... I did say I was not intending to tell them how to suck eggs just that I had a new vested interest in learning about my condition and hopefully achieving a better quality of life!

So I’m nervous and excited in equal measures!

Tuesday I will do my finger prick test for medichecks and then I’ve decided (to be safe) to take an additional 25mcg every other day - although the GP said considering my age (59) I would be fine going straight in with an increase of 25mcg. This is part due to the pandemic and going for blood tests every 6 weeks needs to be kept to a minimum.

Also we agreed to my chopping my brand tablet (Accord) in half due to a previous severe psychological adverse reaction to TEVA just under 12 months ago, he gave me time and listened. I also told him I’ve a referral to an Endo and he said it takes a while to book so keep that in place (he may have assumed I was NHS not Private)

Not sure what to expect but hoping for positive improvements, I’ve an endless list of symptoms I could add!

Anyone with experience of increasing Levo I’d be very keen to hear any advice / suggestions.

[shaws]

To alert a member to a post you put an @ sign before their name and similar names will appear. Click on the right one and the person will be alerted. i.e. Levo50 and the name will turn bllue SlowDragon

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Great to hear you got dose increase

Yes best to increase slowly......

Levothyroxine is a storage hormone so you can add 25mcg on alternate days

But you could cut 50mcg into 1/4’s and that way you can add 12.5mcg every day

Some people find that smoother

[Levo50 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you - I mentioned the 12.5 daily by cutting my 50 into 1/4’s GP said 25 every other day may be easier - he initially was offering 75mcg tablet or my usual 50 plus a 25 tablet but I’m nervous of this in case the brand changes and I don’t want to take that chance.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Levo50]

Good you turned the 75mcg tablets down.

The only 75mcg brand is Teva! (And it’s more expensive than 25mcg and 50mcg tablets)

If you want to cut levothyroxine into 1/4’s using a craft scalpel is good option

[jrbarnes]

I'd say you're long overdue for an increase! I only waited 10 years and loads of symptoms as well. Since increasing from 88 to 100 I've gained strength in my arms and legs. I'm sleeping better, no more anxiety, and less aches and pains, especially the finger pain. Best wishes🌻

[Levo50 in reply to jrbarnes]

jrbarnes it is really great to read your reply thank you, I am so looking forward to similar improvements 🤞

[Josephineinamachine]

So pleased for you!! I had a blood test consultation on Thursday. My TSH now reduced to 3.7 but still have (mainly pain) symptoms. I didn’t mention the pain after 2 different GPs told me pain is not a symptom of hypo. Instead I talked about cold and fatigue. GP took ages to agree a dose increase. Tried to convince me it’s because I’ve been through the menopause. (It isn’t). Then tried to convince me I have Long Covid (I haven’t had Covid). Eventually she agreed a 25 mg dose increase for every other day (I’m instead taking 12 and half every day extra) and said to wait 3 months before re-testing. I plan to wait 2 months and then be a thorn in her side again (because that’s how this feels?!?). I hope you feel much better soon!!

[Levo50]

Josephineinamachine well done you! We are in this together, I have ordered a scalpel set from Amazon as recommended so I will attempt to do the same inc by 12.5mcg per day for 2-3 weeks and see how I get on, I want to respect this hormone as I believe it’s quite fussy and after so long on 50 it makes sense to make small increments. Hopefully we will both find our sweet spot! Best of luck 🤞

[tattybogle in reply to Levo50]

Even though it's tedious, I would say it's worth waiting more than 2/3 weeks on new increase of 12.5 before you decide how you feel . I've had a couple of changes from 125 to 112.5 to 100 and back to 112.5 over the last 18 months or so , and each time when reducing it took about 5 weeks before i felt the same each week, and a few weeks longer than that like maybe 8/10 to feel stable . Mu gut feeling on this for me is that if the dose is the right one, improvement continues to happen gradually even after 5 weeks , and if it's slightly the wrong dose things get slowly worse or stay rubbish.

Note i'm not talking about the amount of time it takes for blood tests to reveal you new levels , which should be 6 weeks, i'm talking about symptoms and feeling of well being .

[Levo50]

tattybogle thank you, that makes sense and although part of me is itching to up the dose 2-3 weekly, for long term improved benefits I expect (after all this time) I shouldn’t try to run before I can walk! I will consider your recommendation and listen to my body 😀

[tattybogle in reply to Levo50]

yes , for now just try and enjoy the realisation that You are driving, instead of the Doctor.There was a good analogy on here a bit ago , which i'll steal :

'dosing thyroid is like steering an oil tanker'.. remember that scene in titanic when they turn the wheel to avoid the ice berg ? at first it looked like the bow wasn't moving at all, but it was, (just not fast enough to miss the ice!)and the course had started to change, and if they'd moved the wheel more the ultimate direction might have been round in a circle.

Congratulations on your contribution to 'doctor education'

[Josephineinamachine in reply to tattybogle]

I like the tanker and Titanic analogies. Okay...I plan to be patient.. I will try anyway.... I’m not sure I want to steer so hard that I end up going in a circle! 😳 😊