GP says am overmedicated

[nationwid]

hi just back on a year later never got round to asking for my blood results with different things going on I had taken a break from a lot of things so to keep up to date I was on 100mg of levothyroxine form may last year then GP called to say after bloods done he said I was to drop to75mg which was in July test again in six weeks which idid but not until October which a different GP upped my dose to 100 again asked me to test in three months time which I did in January test came back GP said to stay on the 100 I told the GP I did not fell any better and could he agree to a 25mg increase which he relented after a while asked me to retest in six weeks then the GP called to say my TSH was telling him I was overmedicated which I said to him I was still not feeling that good he then said what about 25mg extra at the weekends and 100mg week days then retest six weeks time which brings me to the results during the week there which was the quickest blood results ever Tuesday bloods taken at 8oclock in the morning and the doctor calling me the next day saying I was to lower my dose back to 100mg giving me a load of guff about how she could not keep me on the 125 mg and how she could not find a reading was just blown away with her comment told her I was not any better and should stay on that dose she just spoke over me telling me she could not jeopardise her job or my health she then said she will write away to see if I can get a referral to an Endo told me I was to retest in six weeks did say if she was that concerned about my heart or osteoporosis she could send me for a bone scan or get my heart checked she just kept talking over me so I just said ok will test in six weeks and left it at that if I call for my blood results what do I ask the receptionist my latest results or the last tow or three result thanks its a long story but any information will be much appreciated

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Please add actual results and ranges

If Ft3 is not over range you are NOT over medicated

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

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels once a year minimum

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

[nationwid in reply to SlowDragon]

been given folic acid always get the same brand just use them pharmacy all the time asked her about my ft3 never answered me just kept telling me my results were un traceable

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to nationwid]

So you need to get full thyroid and vitamin testing done yourself

Low folate suggests your Ft3 is likely low

Request GP test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 and TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 BEFORE you would consider reducing dose levothyroxine

Rather than just taking folic acid

supplementing 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

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

If serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 is still 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.

[nationwid in reply to SlowDragon]

I forgot to say I got iron tests done when I got my thyroid check last week that's why I was prescribed folic acid if that helps

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to nationwid]

Folic acid is prescribed for low folate

Has nothing to do with iron and ferritin levels

Can you add most recent vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 results and ranges….if you have them

[nationwid in reply to SlowDragon]

I don't have them was going to call the GP Tomorrow and ask the receptionist do I ask her for all my results that were taking last week

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to nationwid]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

Likely to find only TSH was tested

Was test done early morning?

Last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test?

[nationwid in reply to SlowDragon]

yes 8 o'clock in the morning and 24 hours last dose

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous post shows

Low ferritin, B12 and insufficient vitamin D

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Suggest you retest via Medichecks now

Ideally test vitamin D twice year when supplementing

Use this when not doing Medichecks

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

You have Hashimoto’s

Have you had coeliac blood test done

Are you now on absolutely strictly gluten free diet

[DippyDame]

Good grief, talk about putting you on a see saw!!

TSH is not a reliable guide for dosing/ medication as the links show prove...

FT3 is the most important result followed by FT4

If overmedicated your FT3 will be raised out of range....if within range you are not overmedicated!

GPs don't seem to understand this....and leave patients unwell because they are wrongl medicated

thyroidpatients.ca/2021/07/...

bmcendocrdisord.biomedcentr...

We really need thyroid labs with ref ranges before we can comment in any detail on your situation

You are legally entitled to request copies of results from reception, at your surgery. If you can post these members will comment.

Good luck!

[nationwid in reply to DippyDame]

thank you will call the doctors tomorrow

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Frequently NHS only tests TSH….obviously that’s completely inadequate