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?
why is my dose relatively low: Ive been taking... - Thyroid UK
why is my dose relatively low
![BlueKeith profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/f7d5f19033c54484b8e09b636219347e_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![BlueKeith profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/f7d5f19033c54484b8e09b636219347e_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![SlowDragon profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/27fbbead1f291333f83bad1f31359fe3_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
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...
NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via
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 profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/27fbbead1f291333f83bad1f31359fe3_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
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
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.