Repeat blood tests when starting on thyroid medication?

[luthien]

How often should the TSH blood test be carried out when starting out on Levothyroxine?

I've been on the starting dose of 50ug for about two weeks, so was trying to push for a repeat blood test at the very start of April - that makes it six weeks which is what the websites you guys have referred to previously mention.

My GP seems to think it's 8 weeks from the telephone consultation, which was yesterday. That would mean it's about 10 weeks from my starting dose. I only requested the telephone appointment to discuss my TPO ab results and ask to test Vitamin D so I don't see why they're using that as the first time it's been discussed; I did say "So I'll book a blood test in about a month's time then, as that makes it 6 weeks from my starting dose" and she said "we don't test that often". That was it.

Hmm, what now?

I tried to bring in the fact that the only thing holding us back from IVF is my thyroid levels - as mentioned by our fertility specialist, the GP does have access to the letter. The GP didn't seem interested.

[Lalatoot]

8 weeks from a change of dose or starting dose though some doctors prefer 12 weeks as it gives the effects of the dose time to work and the body to adapt.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You could always test yourself after 6-8 weeks

Obviously 50mcg is only a starter dose

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

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)

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/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk