Would changing how I take my dose change my results to this extent?

Hello again.

I posted not long ago about my results dropping despite nothing changing but I've just remembered at some point, maybe only 3/4 weeks ago I switched to taking 125mcg a day instead of alternating 100/150.

I assume that would've made some difference but would it have made *that much* of a difference?

I had some really great advice on my other thread but I'm trying to decide what to do next;

I could go back to 100/150

Or I could try cutting back down to 75mcg because that's where my conversion was best (but my levels were still too low)

Or I could make an appointment with an on-the-list consultant and let him figure it all out.

🤷🏻‍♀️

.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription?

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes! Always accord for both the 50 & 100

[waveylines]

I think you are still on the low side so would increase your dose. You could try 125/150 alternate days. Secondly your conversion rate T4to T3 isn't very good. This could be due to vitamin & mineral levels which are often low in hypothyroidism. So Id check B12, vit D, folate and ferritin. And correct those so they are in the upper third of range or near top.

[Hidden in reply to waveylines]

Vits are all optimal but ferritin was stubbornly low; in fact just had an iron transfusion so should be nice and high now!

I also wonder if an increase would do it but I can't understand why in mid-April, on the same dose, my results were so much better. I felt well then too.

My conversion rate is getting worse the higher the dose of T4 I take. Which is why I'm wondering whether to go back to 75mcg where at least conversion was good and it's where I had the highest T3 and possibly add in some T3 as well.

I'm stumbling in the dark a bit.

[waveylines]

I wouldnt lower but trial the higher dose. It maybe if everything else is optimal that you need T3 adding in. Your GP will not prescribe this unless you see an endocrinologist which you would need to pick carefully as many are diabectic specialists not thyroid. Thyroid uk have a list of thyroid friendly doctors. Be prepared for a battle if you go doen this route as T3 is expensive so obstacles are put in the way am afraid. There is a test you can do to see if you are a poor converter but cant remember what its called but hopefully one of the others will say!! Sorry!

[Hidden in reply to waveylines]

I've already made peace with having to get a private prescription for T3. As it stands I simply don't have the fight in me to go via the NHS.

GP won't do an increase in T4 because TSH is 'low'.

[waveylines in reply to Hidden]

That because they are taught to prescribe by the TSH. Bonkers as research has shown that treating this way leads to under treatment..... Lol. Mad really as they end up treating unresolved symptoms separately which am sure works out more expensive!

[Hidden in reply to waveylines]

Yep!! When my TSH was 4 and I asked for an increase the Dr started telling me it wasn't my thyroid, I was tired because 'we're in lockdown' and ran a bunch of other tests... All of which came back perfect so I got my increase in levo... What an absolute waste of everyone's time and money. 🙄

[waveylines]

Thats a disgrace plant_lady! You shouldnt have had to do that. 4 is high for someone on treatment. I do wonder how much damage is done to people left either not treated or under treated. Its a scandel! The situation seems to get worse year on year. (Sorry I was finally 'diagnosed' 15yrs ago &that was a battle that left me really ill for three years compromising not only my health but my job/income because the blood test didnt reflect what was happening although I had the classic looks of hypothyroidism)

[Hidden in reply to waveylines]

Agreed! I think hypo treatment will go down as a great scandal in the medical profession when the medics eventually catch up with the science...

I was diagnosed relatively quickly; after about 4 years of seriously having symptoms, but I was dismissed a lot my the GP and I suspect it's because I didn't look the part! Kept my hair and eyebrows and I've always been slightly underweight.

[waveylines]

Sigh......given they must have a hypothyroid patient in every clinic appointment it is unforgivable tbh. I took matter into my own hands too but made sure they were informed and eventually got my ndt on the nhs.......youd hope theyd leave it alone now after ten years......but knowing the nhs expect some idiot at some point will query it!!

[Hidden in reply to waveylines]

What I can not fathom is that there are two million people suffering with hypothyroidism and it's so rarely understood.

BUT! There are asthma nurses, diabetes nurses etc... Why are there no thyroid nurses!?!

[jrbarnes]

I agree with the alternating 125/150 dose.

[Hidden in reply to jrbarnes]

I think i'm going to book a blood test through the doctor and see what it comes back as and try and argue the toss with the GP and hope she will treat to my symptoms.

[jrbarnes in reply to Hidden]

I'd think they'd rather you up and functional able to work and be productive over gradually becoming disabled and applying for benefits due to under treatment.That might sound a bit dramatic but it happened to me. I had to tell my old GP, when he lowered my dose, that on the higher dose I'm able to be productive and work but on the lower dose I'm not able to get out of bed and work and I'd most likely have to go on disability if he didn't put it back up. Eventually I moved on to another practice that I didn't have to argue with every 6 months. Good luck!