Levothyroxine Dose and T4 Level

[Lulapuss]

Hi everyone,

I regularly read these posts and see all the helpful advice given.

This is my first post and I am looking for help with my Levothyroxine dosage.

I currently take 75mcg Levothyroxine and 15mcg Liothyronine daily.

My latest blood tests are as follows:

TSH 0.04mu/L. Range 0.35 - 4.94

T4 9.3pmol/L. Range 9.0. - 19.1. 3% of range

T3 5.1pmol/L. Range 2.4 - 6.0. 75% of range

These tests followed the guidance of T4 taken 24hrs before test and 5mcg T3 taken 8hrs before test. Tested at 9.00am on empty stomach.

I believe that I need to increase my Levothyroxine as I am still suffering with extreme fatigue, unable to regulate my temperature, so feeling hot all the time and constipation. The pins and needles in my fingers have improved.

The latest comment from my Dr is that I am Borderline.

I would like to increase my Levothyroxine to 125mg and have requested a conversation with my Dr who just suggested they redo my blood tests in 3months.

I don’t feel I can waste another 3 months as I have been trying to sort out my medication since May 2021, when I was started on 100mcg which I couldn’t tolerate at that time. I then went all the way down to 25mcg a day and am now on my way back up again. At least a dose change does not now cause awful side effects.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Alison

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Lulapuss

Do you have enough Levo to increase the dose yourself then when the time comes present them with a fait accompli? If not then all you can do is push for another discussion with your GP and point out your symptoms and that you believe it could be down to your low FT4 and can you trial an increase in Levo now rather than wait for 3 months to repeat blood tests.

There is no one size fits all, some people would be fine with your low FT4, others wouldn't be, we need what we need, there are no rules.

[Lulapuss in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you SeasideSusie.

I will see how the conversation with my Dr goes.

[Yeswithasmile in reply to Lulapuss]

Hi Lulapuss

As SeasideSusie mentioned there is no one size fits all. It’s all trial and error.

However you wouldn’t be alone if you needed a higher level of ft4. I do. I’ve had low ft4 and higher ft3 and it’s an understatement to say that it didn’t suit me.

I now take more levo alongside a smaller amount of t3 and whilst I’m not perfect I am a massive amount better.

You can only try it. Good luck with your dr.