Help with self medicating Levo

[Jamima]

I've managed to source some levo, (euthyrox 50mcg). I'm not diagnosed hypo and I suspect my problem is secondary or central hypothyroidism, ie. low normal tsh and ft4, low DHEA and 4 point cortisol. I've tried glandulars, both adrenal and thyroid and didn't feel either was a good fit, I felt very ramped up, even on half doses, I've also tried DHEA, which had some benefit but again, not ideal. My NHS endo insists that my thyroid levels are healthy, even though I'm symptomatic and I've already told him I had tried the DHEA and glandulars but he won't diagnose me.

I now feel I have very little choice but to self medicate, and sourced the levo, BUT I'm nervous about starting it. My intention was to start on 25mcg and I'd just like some input from those who know better as to what I should expect, and if there will be any clear signs that it's not for me. I understand that it's long acting and that I may not have any side effects or noticeable change for at least a couple of weeks but I'd rather know what signs might indicate that it's not for me.

Thank you.

[greygoose]

I don't think starting on 25 mcg is going to tell you if levo is not for you. Starting on too low a dose can make you worse, rather than better, but that doesn't mean that levo is not for you. If you're going to do it, start on a normal starter dose: 50 mcg.

[Jamima in reply to greygoose]

Thank you greygoose. I plan to have an appointment with a private endo in the middle of January next year, ill have my thyroid and cortisol tested before the appointment. Would starting the levo make it difficult for him to get a clear picture? I can manage with the glandulars until then if that would be less problematic in terms of results.

[greygoose in reply to Jamima]

It will make it impossible for him to get a clear picture. I wouldn't even take the glandulars, if I were you, in case they muddy the water.

[Jamima in reply to greygoose]

Ok, thank you, I'll just wait another few weeks until I can speak to him.

[greygoose in reply to Jamima]

I think that's best, yes.

[Hidden in reply to Jamima]

Don´t start levo until you have seen the endo. Any hormones you take will affect your results and it will be more difficult or even impossible for the endo to know what is coming from your own thyroid and what is coming from the levo. So, the only way to tell how much T4 your own thyroid gland is producing is not to start levo and also go off the glandualrs asap. I know it´s frustrating, but if you come to the endo when already on levo, he could very well say your FT4 levels look good so no reason to put you on thyroid hormone. Also, taking any amount of levo is bound to further lower your already low TSH, and most doctors - especially endos, it would seem - don´t like a low TSH.

[pennyannie]

Hello there :

Maybe take bench mark readings of your TSH, T3 and T4 before you start self medicating so you have some benchmarks numbers to refer back to :

Listen to your body, check off, or add on symptoms, and I took blood pressure, pulse and temperature readings twice daily am and pm when I started self medicating.

Good luck and keep us in the loop.

[Jamima]

Thank you pennieannie - I've got thyroid results from end of august and going by my current symptoms, I don't think much has changed since then. I take my temperature and will continue to do so and add in the bp too. Thank you.

[JAmanda in reply to Jamima]

I was going to say the same - you need the full picture of tsh t4 and T3 to see if it’s secondary hypothyroidism then start on a proper dose if necessary. Medichecks or Monitor myHealth etc are good. Get blood drawn.

[Jamima in reply to JAmanda]

Thank you JAmanda, I’ve had quite a few tests over last 18 -24 months and they all indicate the same - low/normal TSH and t4, there’s little deviation, other than one blood test taken in the afternoon. It may well be that that’s where I sit in terms of thyroid, I don’t have any thyroid readings further back than 2019 so I can’t compare, but, I wasn’t symptomatic until a couple of years ago, so I’d like to get to the reasons for the symptoms. I’ve decided to hold off on self medicating levo until I speak to the new endo.

[JAmanda in reply to Jamima]

Worth knowing your T3 level before you speak to Endo as that along with tsh and t4 will give full picture.