I thought I had finally reached the right dose but two months on feeling unwell again

[Mst27]

I finally got to a dose of 75 levothyroxin in June. I have attached a copy of my bloods from them. I felt the best I had for a least a year. However I am back to insomnia and exhaustion with aches and pains. I should have reached this dose earlier but I made a mistake with my tablets which took me down to 25 again so had to slowly bring myself back up to 75. Is it normal to feel well for 2-3 months then hit symptoms again. Will I get to a level and be able to maintain it and feel well for a long period of time ? My mental health really suffered over the past year and I can see it creeping back. I resigned from a job I love and have been doing for 16 years two weeks ago because I just wasn’t coping. Thankfully my work allowed me to retract my resignation a week later when i had realised that I didn’t want to leave and was actually not well again. I’m very lucky they have been so supportive considering the time off I had over last year relating to hypothyroidism.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

75mcg levothyroxine is only one step up from starter dose

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

Likely ready for next dose increase in levothyroxine

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels last tested

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Request new thyroid and vitamin testing

Book early morning test 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...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

[DippyDame]

Following the increase, your body was " enjoying" the extra hormone but it is now most likely telling you that it needs more.

This is a "normal" reaction....it puzzled me too over 20 years ago! We didn't have this amazing forum back then to offer support!

The addition of another 25mcg will likely help....you still have room to increase. You may even need a little more but too soon to say.

Stay on that steady dose for 6/8 weeks then ideally, have a full thyroid test....al least test FT3 with FT4 and TSH

SlowDragon has given you the info you need.

So glad you have an understanding employer.....they should be, you have thyroid disease and need lifelong medication!!

Expect it to take time to reach your therapeutic dose, sadly there is no quick fix but with the correct treatment you can be well again

We're all in this thyroid challenge together and here to support you.

[Mst27]

Thank you both for your replies. I do test in the morning without levo and am taking vitamin b and d supplements but have to say I was not consistent with these when I was feeling well. Silly of me I know. I should have had another blood test six weeks on but assumed I was okay to leave it as I thought I was on the right dose. I have asked for another blood test and will hopefully have another increase. I think I was so relieved to feel normal for a while that I forgot to keep everything in check. Lesson learned I hope ! It really is so helpful to have this forum thanks again for the help.

[humanbean]

I agree with the suggestions that you need a higher dose of Levo.

If you struggle to tolerate increases in dose you could ask for another 25mcg per day, and then cut the tablets in half and just take an extra 12.5mcg per day until you are sure you can tolerate it, then start taking the whole 25mcg when you are feeling confident. It will give you the opportunity to build up a little supply of extra Levo for emergencies as well. But in your shoes I would keep that quiet.

[Charlie-Farley]

If you need an increase but your results fall in range and your doc doesn’t understand you can have a dose increase and still be in range (and have a low/suppressed TSH) click on my face and have a read. I’ve made my bio a road map for getting dose increases and my more recent posts also demonstrate how to get there. 😊👍

Tattybogle’s post on low TSH also has lots of good evidence you can share with doctors. They don’t have time to find this so we have to. 😊👍

[arTistapple]

Mst27 you have received good info from the admin and others. My heart broke for you when you said you had handed in your notice for a job you love. I am so glad you were able to sort that out. I gave up my job twenty years ago because (undiagnosed) I knew I was completely unreliable. It affected my pension - everything. On the bright side it did allow me to do something very important and close to my heart that I would not have been able to do otherwise, as I would have just gone on working. What we need is proper treatment. This is the only place I have found with down to Earth advice that is workable. Take your time and continue to get well. Wobbles seem to be integral to our recovery.

[Mst27]

Thank you for your replies. I’m having a blood test on Thursday and am hoping to get an increase as soon as possible. I am getting the brain fog back and keep getting my words mixed up recently. I seem to say nearly every day that I just want to feel well again. I’m so grateful to have somewhere to get good advice and support from people who understand. A lady at work said the other day that her friend has what I’ve got and is absolutely fine just takes the tablets. If only it was so easy ! Thanks again everyone