I was summoned to GP surgery for blood tests last week. When I checked the results online I saw my TSH was flagged as it was 0.09. ( usually 0.29). I have had three separate lot of steroid injections in the previous month, including one in my hip the day before the blood test. From all I have read about the effect of corticosteroids on suppressing TSH I assume this is a temporary blip. I then had a telephone call from one of the receptionists to inform me that Dr.........,another one I've never heard of, no doubt one of their ever changing locums, had increased my Levothyroxine from 100mcg to 125 with immediate effect.
I thanked the receptionist for her call and asked her to inform the Doctor that, with greatest respect, I would decline the dose increase.( Until I had a chance to discuss this with this forum. I didn't mention that.
Why would he want to RAISE my dose when my TSH is lowered? I feel well on 100, in fact I only take it six days out of seven. About three years ago I started feeling a bit 'edgy' so thought I might be over medicated. I did not want to ask for a reduction so tried a couple of months on one less a week, felt better so told my GP she agreed with me and my prescription actually says take six days a week.
Three days later the driver from the pharmacy turned up with a pack of 25mcg, that I had declined!
I've now had a text to inform me that I have to have another blood test in 3 months time. Good! I expect to have my usual reading by then.
Am I right or is there some reason why you should increase Levo for reduced TSH? I do feel the Dr has been unprofessional to alter my dose with no consutation or explanation.
Written by
Countrykitten
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Is TSH all they tested? Maybe they also did FT4 and that is low. The TSH is the least important number when testing thyroid patients, and should not be used to dose by. It is a very bad indicator of thyroid status. So, maybe the doctor is more enlightened than average? Or maybe he just has no idea what he's doing! You'd have to ask him.
However, if you feel well on your present dose, why change it. Just carry on as you are, and stock up the extra tablets for future emergancies.
T4 was 20, so no problem there. Unfortunately, our GP practice is overwhelmed like so many others these days. It's not just impossible to see a Dr but you can rarely get to speak to one, then it's a different one every time, none of which seem to have read the patient's notes. I'll carry on as I am and see what blood tests says in three months.
Hi. I agree with others that someone's made an error of judgment and you need a decrease, or no change if it's a temporary blip as you suspect. I can't help thinking though that it's a good job you know about thyroid levels as I imagine there are plenty of patients who just do as they're told by the Dr. without question, and end up poorly medicated as a result.
Exactly my thoughts. I'm grateful to this site for encouraging us to learn as much as we can about our condition. I wanted to complain to the practice but my husband was worried I would be regarded as a difficult patient! I've been with the practice for 23 years and it used to be excellent. 'My' GP, who is now senior partner, has always worked with me to decide the right treatments for my various ailments. Unfortunately, I haven't seen her since pre pandemic so now I'm at the mercy of strangers. Thank goodness for forums like this.
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