Under active Thyroid for 20yrs was on 100mg but now only require 75mg had my Thyroid improved?

[bobbybtnr]

Hi all, I have had under active thyroid for twenty years and have been taking 100mg of thyroxine but now my doctor said after my recent blood tests that I only need 75mg, is it possible that as I’ve got older my thyroid has improved, I’m male 65, thanks Best Bob,

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I suspect that is too large a change. Just why do they always adjust by 25 micrograms - solely because that is the standard small tablet dosage - nothing to do with sense or appropriateness.

Most people seem to get their doses adjusted due to a TSH test only. Which is insufficient as a basis for changing your dose.

Have you got your last few test results? Include the reference intervals (ranges). If you have not got them, you might be able to access them via computer/phone, or ask them to be printed for you to collect.

PS It is also quite likely that if your prescription is changed to 75 micrograms, you will have a change of make. Only one company makes tablets in that dosage - Teva. So if you take any other make, that would force a change. Some people are fine with some changes, others don't do nearly so well on one make as another.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Unlikely, there’s a more recent inappropriate obsession to bring TSH within range

But many many people on levothyroxine will have low TSH when adequately treated

TSH is NOT a thyroid hormone, it’s the message from pituitary asking thyroid to work

Most important results are ALWAYS Ft4 and Ft3

Important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually. On levothyroxine we must have GOOD vitamin levels.

Common for vitamin levels to reduce as we get older

ALWAYS Test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking…..do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Teva brand upsets many people and Teva is only brand that makes 75mcg tablets

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

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 and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

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

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts you use to be on NDT

TSH is almost always suppressed or very low on NDT