Newly prescribed to Levothyroxine for auto immune thyroid disease- what can I expect?

[sunshineisbetter]

Please share any advice for beginning to take Levethyroxine?

I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago by endo because of crazy high thyroid antibodies (tpo & tgAb) and fluctuating levels of TSH between 3.5-6.5. I have been very symptomatic for almost a year.

I have been prescribed 25mg Levothyroxine (Mercury Pharma.) The endocrinology report states to take this for a few weeks and then increase to 50mg. Once I have been on a dose of 50mg for 6-8 weeks, I then need to have my thyroid levels checked with a blood tests.

Please can admin/members share knowledge, experience and advice about starting Levythyroxine?

How long should I stay on 25mg before increasing? I’m assuming 3 weeks?

What side effects should I expect?

When/how should I take it?

I will also be making lifestyle changes regarding diet (already gluten & dairy free) and will supplement vitamin d, b13, iron plus magnesium.

Please share advice and research?

Thank you in advance x

[serenfach]

Unless you are elderly or have heart problems, 50mg is usually the starting dose, so they are being cautious with you. You may not notice much at first, and it does take a while to get to the right dose. The advice on changing levels of Levo is usually around 8 to 12 weeks as it takes a while for things to react and even out.

Too low a dose can make you feel worse, so if you feel OK on the 25mg, I would up it after 3 weeks and see how it goes.

Take it first thing in the morning away from food and drink (water is fine) and try to leave an hour before eating. Do not take the vit pills at the same time.

If you read through some of the excellent threads on here, you will find more info and also the importance of getting your vitamins right.

Keep reading - there is a lot to take in! I hope you feel better soon.

[sunshineisbetter in reply to serenfach]

Thank you for your advice x