First bloodwork results while on levothyroxine - input please!

[Snooperkitty21]

Hello, I’ve been on levothyroxine since March 2022 as a trial my Dr offered to see if my symptoms of brain fog, no short term memory, derealization, light sensitivity and tiredness lessen any (they haven’t). I started on 25 mcg then to 50 as per advice here, now on 75 mcg for 7 weeks.

Still not sure if my issue is even thyroid related. I will add my results from Oct 2021 in a comment. I was not on any medication then,

Any input or advice is greatly appreciated!

[Snooperkitty21]

Here are my blood work results from October 2021

Bloodwork results

[greygoose]

Well, those are all hypo symptoms. And, your Frees are still quite low. So, I should imagine your issue is thyroid related. You now need another increase in dose.

[Snooperkitty21 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for replying! I didn’t know if light sensitivity and depersonalization were symptoms but I’d heard brain fog was for sure. Thanks for letting me know this. I will ask my Dr for an increase to 100 mcg when I see him in 3 weeks.

[greygoose in reply to Snooperkitty21]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Is your diabetes type one or type 2

You need folate and vitamin D tested

What are you taking to improve low B12…..daily supplements or injections

Iron supplements….must be minimum 4 hours away from levothyroxine

Try next 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine up to 100mcg

Retest again in 6-8 weeks, always test early morning, and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

[Snooperkitty21 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi it’s type 2 diabetes, on insulin for 10 yrs now due to poor control after breastfeeding my last child.

Folate - 45 nmol ( > 8.7 nmol ) no pills

Vit D - 156 nmol (75-250 nmol) on pills

B12 - on injections 684 pmol (was 175 pmol)

I take my levothyroxine at night and my iron in the morning. I will ask my Dr for an increase and I hope he is ok with it. He doesn’t think I have a thyroid problem.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

Guidelines on dose levothyroxine likely to be required, based on weight…..as a rough guide ….is 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight per day

So unless very petite, likely to need to be on at least 100mcg levothyroxine per day

[Snooperkitty21 in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m not petite and am about 90 kg (218 lbs) I’ve had a weight gain of 20 lbs in the last year or so.

I also take a medication for diabetes called Victoza. It made me drop weight originally. I know studies have shown it causes thyroid cancer in mice but not sure about hypo thyroidism? I’ve been on it since it came out approx 10 yrs ago.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Snooperkitty21]

90kg x 1.6mcg levothyroxine = 144mcg levothyroxine as possible daily dose levothyroxine required

Everyone is different…..some can’t tolerate full dose…..some need more

[Litatamon]

It is possible you need more frequent b12 shots as your symptoms align as well.

I am not in the UK, but there the documented protocol if there are neurological issues is every other day until no more improvements are made.

Did you have loading doses & then this protocol?

[Snooperkitty21 in reply to Litatamon]

Hi I’m in Canada and I get B12 shots every few weeks at my request. Originally I did do loading doses. Yes my symptoms do seem like B12 deficiency so I had pernicious anemia test in which came back normal (no intrinsic factor antibodies). My mom, husband max daughter all have B12 around 200 pmol as well (I’m not blood related to my husband 😆 ) and they feel great which is why I’m leaning towards possible low thyroid based on my low ft4 and ft3. It hurts my brain to try to self-diagnose daily and I’m so glad this group is here!

[Litatamon in reply to Snooperkitty21]

You are aware that the intrinsic factor test is only around 50% true to form, so to speak? And it is often run more than once to make sure your results are not erroneous.

A bit off topic just making sure you're aware.

(I am in Canada as well.)

[Snooperkitty21 in reply to Litatamon]

That’s good info, thank you. I never thought to retest because I wasn’t willing to be off of supplements/shots for 4 months (as I’ve read in a B12 fb group) but I could probably work towards that now that I’ve spaced my injections out some more.

[Litatamon in reply to Snooperkitty21]

Well that's synchronicity. I just had this exact conversation cover on the PAS section, as I too was always told you had to be off the injection schedule, like you just noted. Someone over there that had already been found to have PA, was forced to redo the test. Insert eye roll to that doctor.

She tested positive for PA again & I asked her about changes to her injection schedule She made none, and had never heard about that being needed.

So it had no impact on her results, don't know what to think. But good to know.