Is it normal for your GP to reduce thyroxine? I have had bloods (don’t have print out yet) but have had my dosage reduced from 100mg to 75mg

[StelAnd]

#Thyroxine #under-active

[fuchsia-pink]

They will quite often do it - or at least try to - if your TSH goes low - regardless of what is happening with your free T4 and free T3 because they know so little abut thyroid and don't understand that you are ONLY over-medicated when free T3 is over-range - and that there is NOTHING dangerous about having low (even very very low) TSH once you are on thyroid meds if your frees are fine ... so it's really important to get your blood results. They prob haven't even tested free T3 ...

If you look at some of diogenes' posts here, (he's a proper thyroid research scientist) he has released scientific papers on the myth of low TSH ...

So if that has happened to you, and you feel good on your current level of meds, I'd kick up a fuss and say you don't consent to a dose reduction while your thyroid hormones aren't over-range. Post your actual results (and related lab ranges, which vary from lab to lab) when you get them so members can help with what to say to the GP x

[StelAnd in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Thank you for your reply fuchsia-pink and I will post when I get them x

[shaws Administrator in reply to StelAnd]

Few GPs are really knowledgeable as I think they only ever look at a TSH result and then decide what the patient will be prescribed or maybe reduce dose. If TSH is low the assumption is that we're on 'too much' so reduce dose.

Your doctor may be another who doesn't really understand about treating patients who have a dysfunctional thyroid gland.

GP has probably reduced your dose according to your TSH result. TSH is from the pituitary gland - not the thyroid gland.

Did you leave 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards?

[StelAnd]

I did leave it 24 hours between taking my meds Shaws. I was experiencing palpitations and also my cholesterol and bop are raised. I am also going through the menopause and I just want to feel better

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to StelAnd]

Hi

Im fully expecting the same, I was struggling with high TSH and low FT4and FT3 levels in October and my Levo was increased to 125mcg. I've had lots of issues with strange side effects like itching so de ided to check my levels in December.

I did a private test and my TSH is now 0.03. So my GP will, look at that and undoubtedly decrease my dose when they get round to testing me again. But my FT4 and FT3 are only around 50% through range and I certainly have no overmedication symptoms.

Thyroid training for GP's is absolutely woeful in the UK. For such a common condition. Fortunately due to frequent dose changes I've managed to stockpile quite a bit of my meds so if they try and lower my dose I'll ignore them.

I'm hoping them being busy with covid means they'll leave me alone for as long as possible. I just want to concentrate on getting better.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

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)

Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease?

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

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 by DIY fingerprick test

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

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease). Ord’s is autoimmune without goitre.

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s.

Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue too. Request coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

[StelAnd]

I take Vitamin D and Magnesium Taurate and Evening Primrose. I take first vitamin 4hrs after thyroxine and the rest every other hour or so throughout day. My bloods were taken before 9am. Thank you for your reply

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to StelAnd]

What were thyroid results that caused dose reduction….just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate

You are legally entitled to copies of your blood test results and ranges

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

Come back with new post once you get full thyroid and vitamin testing after 6-8 weeks on reduced dose…..results and ranges