Hi, I've taken thyroxine, 125mg, for the last 18yrs. All blood test results have been normal until December 2019 when my TSH showed an increase to 5.72 (also diagnosed at this point with ulcerative colitis) . Gp increased thyroxine to 150mg. Next test in March showed low result of 0.01 and gp put me back to 125mg, but May's results were still 0.01. I have just had another test and the result is 0.05. The test was done by my gastro consultant with my annual bloodtests as my gp refused to do a thyroxine test until March.
I don't understand why thyroxine wasn't altered back in May and I've not heard anything from the gp so far.
Strange how I've been OK all these years, but after being diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis it's not been right?
Should I be worried about the result?
Thanks
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Glendale1967
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Just testing TSH alone doesn't give a picture of our thyroid status. TSH is not a thyroid hormone, it is a pituitary hormone, the thyroid hormones are FT4 and FT3 and it's these two that tell us what we need to know and should be used to adjust our dose.
It must have been a big jump when your TSH measured 5.72. Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested? I'm wondering if you have autoimmune thyroid disease, known to patients as Hashimoto's, as fluctuations in results (and symptoms) are common with Hashi's.
As it coincided with your diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, maybe there is some connection.
My late hubby had UC and he was on quite a lot of medication for it. Assuming you are on medication for your UC, have you checked to see if any of your UC meds interact in any way with Levothyroxine or cause absorption problems? Do you take all your other medication at last 2 hours away from your Levo?
In your shoes I would want full thyroid testing and I'd also test vitamins in case the UC is affecting absorption of nutrients at all. If you can't get all these tests on the NHS I'd do them with one of our recommended private labs:
Thank you so much for your reply and your thoughts. I'm going to contact the gp and try and have a discussion with him now that I have a bit more information. Thank you.
When dose levothyroxine is reduced vitamin levels frequently crash
Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
When were vitamin levels last tested
Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking
Do you always get same brand
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 at least annually
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
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
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