Hi, I have had an under active thyroid now for 15 years, I am on 175mg Levothyroxine. If I go lower than that my symptoms get worse, cold hands, foggy head, exhausted etc Doc would like to reduce my Levo as is concerned that a high dose for many years is bad for my heart! Any other suggestions ?
Thanks
Heather
Welcome to the forum
Do you have any recent thyroid and vitamin results to add
It’s extremely common, especially if been on levothyroxine over long time, for TSH to drop low
TSH is not a thyroid hormone. A low TSH doesn’t necessarily mean you are over medicated
You need Ft4 and Ft3 levels tested. This rarely happens on standard NHS testing. If FT3 isn’t over range you are not over medicated
Do you ALWAYS Test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test.
This gives highest TSH and lowest Ft4
Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease, also called Hashimoto’s, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels last tested
You will see hundreds of thyroid patients on here who have similar battles/arguments/discussions with medics over low TSH
Lots to think about here, I know that my Tsh is off the scale and my T4 is 17.7. Never been tested for FT3 Folic acid was 2.7 so have started taking tablets for that. B12 was 396.
What’s the range on Ft4?
Figures in brackets after each result
B12 and folate are too low
Presumably GP has prescribed folic acid
Once you finish folic acid prescription…..
Start A good quality daily vitamin B complex ….One with folate in, not folic acid
This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too
Difference between folate and folic acid
chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...
Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
B vitamins best taken after breakfast
Thorne Basic B or Jarrow B Right are recommended options that contains folate, but both are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate methyl folate supplement and separate B12
Low B12 symptoms
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months.
once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
B12 sublingual lozenges
amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...
cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Suggest you get vitamin D tested next
Great, thank you x
Range on Ft4 result?
It's not the dose that is important, it's the effect it has on your thyroid hormone levels that count: FT4 and especially FT3. Does he even test the FT3? If not, he can have no idea if your dose is too high. And, if it's too low, that is bad for your heart, too.
I have never been tested for FT3, I am gonna be on the case with that getting tested!
Good for you! 
Hoping you get it done on nhs but mine won’t (labs) so buy a test
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
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis) usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
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 and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Are you in the U.K.?
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...
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning before 9am
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...
NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via
Great, thanks for all of the info, it's really appreciated x
Thanks for all of the info, I have spoken to the doctor and she has recommended taking 175 and 150 alternate days for my Levothyroxine. Do this along with the folate and then go in for bloods to look at levels. She is also going to look at my history with my under active thyroid. I am hoping that she will do more testing on FT3 etc. I have been on Everol for 5 weeks for my HRT and doctor has suggested putting that up from Everol25 to Everol50. I also use inhalers as I have asthma. I haven't had my blood pressure done for a couple of years but got it done today and it was 160 over 100. Any ideas on this, could it be a mix of my meds that's putting it up by any chance?
Medication advice, please! 
Increase in medication? Advice please!
Advice on options for self medication please 
Considering self medicating looking for advice based on my bloods please 
doctor stopping medication advice please
