Self medicate?

[Lotus77]

Hi, I find this forum very useful and recently posted my latest blood tests here - awaiting to be seen by Endocrinologist… in 11 weeks (!) time. I will try go private if faster, not sure I can afford.

Probably many of us have been here, but feel quite poorly (24/7 exhausted, nauseous, blurred vision, short of breath) I wonder if just to take 25microgram extra (currently on 100) or maybe I need less, or if anything else could improve symptoms until properly assessed?

I’m taking supplements to try boost those low levels.

Anyone who has successfully adjusted their Levothyroxine without official prescription? I’m not good with medication so to me it means I’m quite desperate 😞.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous post here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

SeasideSusie gave you in-depth advice on how to improve your low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH

Optimal vitamin levels are

Vitamin D at least around 80nmol

Ferritin and folate at least half way through range

TSH 2.77

Was test done early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Are you on dairy free diet as you suspect you are lactose intolerant?

Make an appointment with your GP for 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

TSH should be under 2 as an absolute maximum when on levothyroxine

gponline.com/endocrinology-...

Replacement therapy with levothyroxine should be initiated in all patients to achieve a TSH level of 0.5-2.0pmol/L.

NHS England Liothyronine guidelines July 2019 clearly state on page 13 that TSH should be between 0.4-1.5 when OPTIMALLY treated with just Levothyroxine

Note that it says test should be in morning BEFORE taking levothyroxine

Also to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploa...

Graph showing median TSH in healthy population is 1-1.5

web.archive.org/web/2004060...

Aim is to bring a TSH under 2.5

UK guidance suggests aiming for a TSH of 0.5–2.5

gp-update.co.uk/SM4/Mutable...

Persevere - have all guidelines printed and be ready to quote them

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Get 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine and retest TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 after 6-9 weeks

[Lotus77 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you and yes taking all in-depth advise from SeasideSusie on board. This was merely to try decide if could go for increase of Levothyroxine and will try get this with your added information from GP. Thanks again.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lotus77]

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

Guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight is approx 1.6mcg per kilo per day

If you’re lactose intolerant and not on lactose free diet this usually results in needing higher dose levothyroxine

Lactose intolerance is very common with Hashimoto's

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/240...

Lactose intolerance was diagnosed in 75.9 % of the patients with HT

read.qxmd.com/read/24796930...

These findings show that lactose intolerance significantly increased the need for oral T4 in hypothyroid patients.

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

[Lotus77 in reply to SlowDragon]

Currently 55kg - am I correct in understanding you that 100mcg would be too much?

I’m on 95% lactose and gluten free diet, however realise how many other products contain these and will cut out even more.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lotus77]

Possibly …depends if you have poor gut absorption

55 x 1.6 is only 88mcg per day

Request 12.5mcg dose increase (cutting 25mcg tablet in half to get 12.5mcg )

Teva do actually make a 12.5mcg tablet…..but it’s £12.49 per 28 tablets

Whereas 25mcg is 90p per 28 tablets

[Lotus77 in reply to SlowDragon]

I think most of it has to do with my gut, problems since childhood, possibly why it all started and also contributes to why I’m now not absorbing vitamins..?

As for the dose, not sure now as if I’m taking another 12.mcg, that would be 112,5mcg and about 25mcg too much.

Could try perhaps and see how I feel. Will try GP again.. Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lotus77]

Sorry thought you were on 75mcg

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lotus77]

So likely you have gut absorption issues

[Lotus77 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, that’s what I’ve been thinking from time…now to figure out how to boost my system properly as more vitamins and other supplements probably won’t be absorbed if gut is not functioning properly.

[Lotus77]

Hi, I personally wouldn’t order medication online, but out of curiosity did have a look at the website you refer to,I noticed the website came up as “not secure”, it has no contact details nor any secure payment certificate, surprised you received them ok and if they are genuine meds