Query regarding check ups

[Katherine0121]

Hello,

I’m new to the site having being diagnosed as hypo six weeks ago. I have today been for my second set of blood tests. The nurse has advised that these will then not be check again until early next year. I just wondered if this was standard procedure in most cases, as it seems along time to go unchecked.

Apologies for what may seem like a silly question, as I say I’m new to all this and just trying to have an understanding of all this.

Many Thanks

[tattybogle]

Hi , what dose of Levothyroxine have you been taking for the 6 weeks before the last test ?It's pretty unlikely your dose is actually enough at this point.

[Katherine0121 in reply to tattybogle]

Hello,

I’m currently on 50mg a day of Levo. And 3 x 210mg Ferrous Fumarate for low iron.

Thank you

[bantam12 in reply to Katherine0121]

You shouldn't be put on annual checks before you have been on a stable dose of Levo for several months, 50mcg is a starter dose so likely you will need some increases before you get to the right amount, until then regular checks are needed.

[Katherine0121 in reply to bantam12]

Thank you for your help

[tattybogle in reply to Katherine0121]

Do you feel 'better' yet ? 50 mcg is only a starter dose , it is then meant to be increased in 25mcg's at a time , and most people end up needing somewhere between 75-125mcg's . Some need more.

Levothyroxine doesn't 'top up' thyroid hormone , it sort of replaces it , so it's important to be on enough for you.

Has anyone told you to take the iron well away from the Levo.

[Katherine0121 in reply to tattybogle]

Unfortunately not, I’ve not felt any better at all. Also struggling with swelling in my neck/thyroid, I have an appointment with the doctor next week to discuss this and the latest test results.

My GP didn’t mention anything to me regards taking the iron/levo, fortunately I picked up on that through a post on here. It’s all very confusing to start with, finding this site super helpful though. Thank you

[tattybogle in reply to Katherine0121]

Not surprised to hear you don't feel better on 50mcg. Nurse has jumped the gun telling you you're OK for a year . Discuss a dose increase with GP next week .

Get hold of the actual results from this last test, not just 'normal' that;s an opinion, not a result ... you need the actual numbers and lab ranges .

You are entitled to have your results once a Doctor has seen them.

Ask reception to give you a print out of them.

You need to know :-

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) and lab range ie TSH 0.0 [?-?]

Also if done ,

fT4 (free T4/thyroxine) and lab range ie fT4 0.0 [?-?]

While you're at it ask if they have previously tested you for thyroid antibodies :- TPOab (Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies) ie, TPOab 0.0 [ < ? ]

If you are unlucky , GP will only test TSH.

TSH is just a signal from the pituitary to thyroid asking for more/less thyroid hormone to be produced. Higher TSH = more please. Once on treatment with Levo you want TSH to be 1 or under. GP should know this , but they might not....healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

This is why healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... as you'll see , it's most common in healthy people to have TSH under 2.

Some GP's and nurses haven't been taught enough about how thyroid works , so they see a TSH result anywhere inside the range of .04-4.5 ish as OK, but i'ts not , especially once you are taking Levo.

T4 is one of the thyroid hormones (and levo is synthetic T4)

[Katherine0121 in reply to tattybogle]

Hello,

Could I pick your brain again please. I have finally got hold of my blood tests:

23/03/2021:

TSH 9.5mu/l (0.35-4.7)

T4 9.0pmol/L (7.8-21.0)

09/04/2021:

TSH 7.0mu/l (0.35-4.7)

T4 8.8pmol/L (7.8-21.0)

I have requested they test my antibodies as there is a history and of Hashimoto in the family

Doctor has increased by dose to 75mg.

Thank you

[tattybogle in reply to Katherine0121]

Hi , just going out , but.... Good , the increase to 75mcg is correct ,but make sure you get re tested after another 6-8 weeks on 75mcg.

TSH is still very high, and fT4 is still rubbish. So expect to need a further increase after the 75mcg.

Don't be surprised if you feel a bit better after a week or so , and then OK for a bit , then less good again on 75mcg

It takes time to get up to the right dose , and you can be a bit up and down till you get there.

x

[Katherine0121 in reply to tattybogle]

Thank you ever so much again ☺️

[stevensnj2020]

Hi,

I'm fairly recently diagnosed too - September 2020, and have been checked every 6 weeks since then, sometimes made appointments earlier when symptoms have been more severe. Dose has been increased every 6 weeks and still isn't right.

It has definitely been me making these appointments though, GP seem happy to wait until you contact them and not overly fussed about monitoring or symptoms. Just be persistent is my advice, and use this forum for info as it's been so helpful.

[Katherine0121 in reply to stevensnj2020]

Hello,

Thanks for your reply and input.

I’ve found this forum so helpful and informative...it’s an awful lot to get your head around.

I will get my second blood results next week and take it from there.

Hope you manage to get yourself on the right course soon, thanks again

[Katherine0121]

Thank you so much for taking the time to help out and explain things. Can’t help but feel that the Gp just tells you that you have an issue, gives you medication but doesn’t provide and real explanation. I have been trying to do my own research, it’s just very confusing, especially with the constant exhaustion and brain fog.

I’ve requested the results of my 1st blood tests, should be given those next week, so will probably pop them on here for further advice.

Thank you again ☺️