The Sunshine effect

[liverish]

I know I've mentioned it before, but it probably bears repeating... When I am out in the sunshine a lot I need to reduce my dose of levothyroxine as the 'tell' I have (little fingernail lifting from the nail bed) shows my that I am overmedicated. I don't know if I am particularly sensitive to large doses of Vit D, but it definitely increases my conversion of T4 to T3. Why do Doctors/ Endocrinologists never mention this and prescribe the same dose all year round?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

liverish

Why do Doctors/ Endocrinologists never mention this and prescribe the same dose all year round?

Well, firstly they don't know much about hypothyroidism so we don't expect a lot from them anyway. But what happens to you doesn't apply to everyone. In 46 years of taking Levo I have never had to alter my dose according to the weather or season and there are probably many more like me on the forum so we would want the same dose all year round.

[liverish in reply to SeasideSusie]

I wondered if it happened to everyone, or if I am somehow super effected by it, that was partly my question.

[radd]

liverish,

I reduce my dose (just by 1/4 grain) during warm summer months as well. The body works harder in winter so to me it makes sense. Some books do advocate this. I think Dr P did.

[humanbean]

There is a possibility that your experience suggests you have low levels of vitamin D. Have you had it tested in the last 3 - 6 months?

If you haven't been tested recently you can do a private test with a finger-prick sample through the post :

vitamindtest.org.uk/

[2pence]

I have realised this year that for the last two years I have had plantar fasciitis in my left heel during the winter which disappears when the weather improves. As I have some wriggle room with my dose I have upped my levothyroxine by one tablet to see if I can avoid it this winter.

[Caesard]

I've noticed the seasonality effect as well, but I do not consider it being necessary related to D3. It seems that, at least in my case, the colder season needs a dose adjustment, around 10- 15%