How long does Levothyroxine need before improve... - Thyroid UK

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How long does Levothyroxine need before improvement

B0K1 profile image
B0K1
7 Replies

I guess this is a "how long is a piece of string", "YMMV" type post, but here goes...

So I've been 50mcg of this for a solid FIVE days now ;) I've already felt a tiny increase in energy, enough to do a bit of light gardening. I've also felt a slight improvement in mood.

Personally I think it is all to do with the final relief of having being diagnosed, and having no obvious side effects from the tablets (touch wood). Despite having been recently cleared of bladder cancer after blood in my urine, I was seriously questioning if I had some un-diagnosed cancer causing such lethargy.

Anyway, as a I said, I know this is no miracle "hormone supplement" and takes months to take any real affect on blood results, that need dosage adjustments. But, in general, what are patients' finding of improvement? Is it so gradual that only one day you, or family notice it? Or is obvious 'steps' of improvement?

I am currently looking for a private GP, as mine has selfishly retired after 50 years! I hope my new private GP will look at my T3 levels and Vitamins.

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B0K1
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7 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

Depends on the person. We're all different. Sorry, but that's an impossible question to answer with any accuracy. You will get plenty of anecdotes about what happened to this person and what to that, but there is no 'in general' at all. You just have to wait and see. :)

Yeswithasmile profile image
Yeswithasmile

Hi B0K1

As Greygoose said there’s no in general and everyone’s different.

Me? I didn’t really notice much for a good few weeks and then suddenly realised I was doing more and hurt less. It can be a long old slog to get to the best you can be and your just on the start of your journey.

I have a friend who seems to notice an increase within days but that feeling tends to fade back to normal within a couple of weeks.

It’s difficult to say whether what you’re feeling is the initial relief from getting medication after feeling below par for a while or you’re like my friend 🤷‍♀️ However I’d just enjoy the positive feeling as long as it lasts and keep reading posts here as it will help you optimise your dose but be prepared for it taking time 😊. Good luck.

jimh111 profile image
jimh111

Levothyroxine has a seven day elimination half-life. So, after about a week of taking the tablets your body will have built up about half its T4 (thyroxine) levels. After two weeks there will be 3/4 of the final steady levels. Thus, it can take a few weeks before you notice much difference.

Another consideration is that you will probably end up on a dose of 100 mcg or a little more, the 50 mcg is probably just to start you off.

Hypothyroidism has many effects on the body, some come on quickly and some have a slower onset. In the same way some symptoms respond quickly to treatment and some take a long time to resolve. You should notice some improvement within a few weeks but it will take many months along with dose adjustments to feel well.

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw

The thing about being on a starter dose is that you probably will notice that you had been feeling better at the point you notice feeling a bit worse and it becomes clear you need a raise in dosage. :)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Looking at your other posts

Propranolol slows uptake and conversion of thyroid hormones

How much propranolol are you currently taking

Is it an occasional use or same dose propranolol everyday?

(I was stuck on 4 x 10mg propranolol for 20 years…..instead of being correctly treated on high enough dose of levothyroxine for Hashimoto’s )

Anxiety is common hypothyroid symptom

Propranolol also lowers magnesium levels because it lowers parathyroid hormones

Do NOT try to suddenly stop propranolol

It must be weened off incredibly slowly

Propranolol

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/168...

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

Drugs that may decrease PTH include cimetidine and propranolol.

rejuvagencenter.com/hypothy...

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested or thyroid antibodies?

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s 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.

Request ultrasound scan of thyroid

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)

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase or brand change in levothyroxine

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...

jimh111 profile image
jimh111

As mentioned by SlowDragon propranolol will cause problems. You should wean yourself off it slowly and if you need to stabilise you heart rate ask your doctor to prescribe a beta blocker that doesn't affect thyroid hormone action. I wouldn't increase your levothyroxine dose until you are off propranolol.

ICE187 profile image
ICE187

I've been on Levo for 12+ weeks. Some symptoms have stopped while new symptoms have started such as bad lightheadedness with a strange headache in the back of my head that lasts the whole time I'm awake. I get tested again tomorrow and will most likely go from 75mcg to 100mcg. I've read that some people see benefits in a week and some can take 12-18 months.

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