why is my dose relatively low

[BlueKeith]

Ive been taking levothyroxine for 18 months now. I started on 50mcg for 4 months then up to 75mcg. Ive had tests every 5 months and since I've been on 75 mcg the GP said blood levels look good. My symptoms now have all gone now and am doing fine. Best I've felt for years. Was just wondering if any one else is doing well on a low dose and why do others need high doses?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you had full thyroid and vitamin testing done

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Teva is only brand that makes 75mcg tablets

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

IBS suggests you still have symptoms and also need coeliac blood test done BEFORE considering trial cutting gluten out of diet completely

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.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

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)

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

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

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning (and not in a heatwave)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

It would be helpful to put a summary of your diagnosis on your profile

Looking at early previous posts ….you have already had coeliac blood test done and that’s when Hashimoto’s was diagnosed

ALWAYS Get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

So you know you have Hashimoto’s and react badly to gluten

You will need to try absolutely strictly gluten free diet

Only 5% of Hashimoto’s patients are coeliac, but further 80% find strictly gluten free diet helps or is ESSENTIAL

Previous post….test done late afternoon

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Likely to have low vitamin levels

Did you actually get results from most recent testing

[BlueKeith in reply to SlowDragon]

I get 50mcg Northstar and 25mcg wockhardt. Had all tests and doctor is pleased with everything . I'm feeling good. Just really wondering if this could be the dose I stay on for good as most people seem to be over 100mcg. Do you reckon my thyroid will be still doing some of the work and that is why I'm on 75mcg.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BlueKeith]

Suggest you come back with new post once you get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing done

Always test thyroid levels early morning, before 9am if possible and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Always get actual results and ranges

[Stourie in reply to BlueKeith]

Personally I think that if you feel good then that’s all that matters. It really doesn’t matter the dose. Everyone is different. Hope you always feel as good as you are. X