New to this!

[Kmsblue]

Just diagnosed with overactive thyroid last week and prescribed 50mg meds. I am very overweight and have been trying to lose for the last year to no avail. Joined the weigh in on here last week just before diagnosed. This was a shock as I was being tested for something else so this was unexpected. No idea what to expect or if I should be taking supplements. Any advice?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

50mcg levothyroxine is only a starter dose. Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

Likely to need several further increases over coming months

Which brand of levothyroxine have you been given

Many people find different brands are not interchangeable

So once you find brand you prefer it’s best to try to stick on that brand at each prescription

Very important to always take levothyroxine on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

It takes minimum 3-5 weeks to notice any improvement after each dose increase

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

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

Very important to test vitamin levels

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

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies if not been tested yet

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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH

Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s.

Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

Please add most recent results and ranges if you have them

[Kmsblue in reply to SlowDragon]

Wow that's a lot of information! I do have blood test online it's:

Pathology Investigations

Thyroid function test

Serum free T4 level 9.8 pmol/L [11.0 - 22.6]

Outside reference range

This assay may be affected in patients

taking biotin supplements.

Interpret results in clinical context.

Serum TSH level 5.2 mu/L [0.2 - 4.0]

Outside reference range

Serum thyroid peroxidase antibody concentration 38 u/mL [0.0 - 60.0]

Not really sure what most of it means!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kmsblue]

Ft4 is low and below range showing you needed to be prescribed levothyroxine

Levothyroxine is to replace the missing Ft4 and when adequately treated Ft4 will be in top third of range

TSH is above top of range and will lower on levothyroxine

TSH is the message from pituitary to tell thyroid to work

TPO antibodies are negative

But that doesn’t rule out autoimmune thyroid disease

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

[Kmsblue in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the links I will have a read.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Be kind to yourself as you get started on levothyroxine

Weight gain is extremely common hypothyroid symptom

But don’t try drastic dieting, things will improve as dose levothyroxine gets increased over coming months

[humanbean]

Just diagnosed with overactive thyroid last week and prescribed 50mg meds.

What have you been prescribed?

Levothyroxine is prescribed for underactive thyroid i.e. hypothyroidism.

Carbimazole is prescribed for overactive thyroid i.e. hyperthyroidism.

[Kmsblue in reply to humanbean]

I have Levothyroxine its underactive not overactive and its obviously affecting my brain since my initial comment is incorrect!!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Kmsblue

Overactive or underactive?

Weight gain is common with underactive.

Weight loss is common with overactive.

[Kmsblue in reply to SeasideSusie]

Underactive and affecting my brain clearly! 😁

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just diagnosed with overactive thyroid last week

Presumably you meant UNDER active

[Kmsblue in reply to SlowDragon]

Ha ha yes! Sorry I seem to also be a little confused these days too 🙄

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kmsblue]

Brain fog....common symptom.....

[Kmsblue]

UNDERACTIVE! Sorry I seem to be having a moment!