Hi I have underaactive thyroid was diagnosed 2 years ago .I take antidepressants and levo 50mg. I am not feeling good very anxious and agitated. I keep blaming my thyroid but Dr says it's fine. Maybe it's my antidepressant sud I change it I am going to talk to dr ,anyone got any advise
Thyroid problems: Hi I have underaactive thyroid... - Thyroid UK
Thyroid problems
50mcg is a starter dose, so you may need a dose increase.
Do you always use same brand? Do you take levo away from food & other medications & any supplements?
GPs often look at the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) this is a pituitary hormone which signals thyroid to make hormone. It’s assume if the TSH is in the expected range so will FT4 (thyroxine).
That not always the case. For Levo to work well folate, ferritin, B12 & vitamin D need to be optimal but doctors don’t test as standard.
Sometimes thyroxine can be at a good level but not converting to the powerful hormone FT3 (triiodothyronine) and that is rarely tested by NHS.
Do you have access to results? Either online or by obtaining a print out. First see what’s been tested? We may be able to see what from results if levels are not optimal.
If GP refuses to test everything suggested there are private laboratories you can use to get a full picture.
When you test do you fast overnight (drink lots of water). Book draw early in day and delay dose until after?
Also important to avoid biotin 3 days before, a week on high doses. It can skew results.
Full test includes:
TSH, FT4, FT3, TPO & TG Antibodies also folate, ferritin, vitamin D & B12.
Post any results & ranges (ranges vary between labs so important to add for every result)
Depression and anxiety are symptoms of hypothyroidism/ undermedication.This may be what is causing your problems.
Since we don't have any lab results for reference it's difficult to comment
BUT...
You should not have been left on 50mcg for 2 years!
50mcg is the starter dose...
After 6/8 weeks once the hormone settles in the body you should have been tested again and your dose increased.
Then test again after another 6/8 weeks
Repeat this until you feel well
Your GP is probably relying in TSH labs for monitoring your dose.....the downfall of many patients!
thyroidpatients.ca/2021/07/...
At the very least you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 labs
Full thyroid test includes...
TSH, FT4, FT3, vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin andvthyroid antibodies TG and TPO
Many of us test privately to do this
thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...
Suggest you have another go at this GP ( or see another one) and ask if they will please increase your dose by 25mcg ( you will most likely need further increases) because lack of thyroid hormone is leaving you struggling to cope.
Refer to this list of symptoms which includes depression and anxiety
thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...
Hopefully your GP is less clueless about thyroid disease than your treatment to date suggests!
They are all too quick to hand out anti depressants before investigating the cause of the symptoms
You are legally entitled to request lab results from your surgery, if you have/ get those then post them here and members will advise
Good luck....you can feel better!
Do you have copies of recent thyroid test results?
How long have you been left on just 50mcg levothyroxine
Highly likely to be under medicated for thyroid as 50mcg is only the standard STARTER dose levothyroxine
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
Link re access
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
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
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis) usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
Have you had thyroid antibodies tested
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Just testing TSH is completely inadequate
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options and money off codes
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...
NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to autoimmune thyroid disease .
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...
Please add most recent results
Or come back with new post once you get results
Hi Tigglypoo, increased anxiety is by far the worst thyroid symptom I have and it is definitely worse I’d my thyroid medication is not optimal. Remember that optimal is not the same as GP giving you the all clear because your level is ‘within range’. Please post your thyroid blood tests (with ranges in brackets) so members can offer you better advice. Ferritin, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D also need to be optimal. My anxiety massively reduced when these were higher in the range too.