I was on 100mcg for years and years and was reduced to 75mg this time last year after having a baby. It was increased again in July this year but GP has reduced it back down to 75mg a couple of weeks ago due to blood test showing over medication. Since the change in medication my anxiety has hit the roof again. Is this common?
I genuinely believe I have a hormone imbalance due to other symptoms I have been experiencing for the last year and more. Can I get tested for this on NHS in Wales as well as thyroid testing?
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Goinginsane1
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It was increased again in July this year but GP has reduced it back down to 75mg a couple of weeks ago due to blood test showing over medication.
What is your GP basing the dose changes on? Is s/he looking just at TSH or taking FT4 level into considerations. Is FT3 tested? Are you asked about any symptoms?
Are you doing your thyroid tests under the exact same circumstances each time, ie
* No later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day.
In fact, 9am is the perfect time, see first graph here, it shows TSH is highest around midnight - 4am (when we can't get a blood draw), then lowers, next high is at 9am then lowers before it starts it's climb again about 9pm:
If we are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction then we need TSH to be as high as possible.
* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the test - have your evening meal/supper as normal the night before but delay breakfast on the day of the test and drink water only until after the blood draw. Certain foods may lower TSH, caffeine containing drinks affect TSH.
* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.
* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (most labs use biotin).
These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with phlebotomists or doctors.
I genuinely believe I have a hormone imbalance due to other symptoms I have been experiencing for the last year and more. Can I get tested for this on NHS in Wales as well as thyroid testing?
I see no reason why you shouldn't ask for hormone testing, ask your GP. You've recently had a baby so hormones may still be settling.
I asked for this to be clarified a few months ago but they didn’t really give me a definite answer. I don’t think it’s hashimotos as far as I am aware.
Do you know if dropping from 100 to 75 is too much of a drop? Should I request to take 1 x100 and 1 x 75 on alternate days?
Last time the lowered it (this time last year) I had swollen lymph nodes under my arms for months and it appears that they are doing the same things now. Going mad!
You're not going mad....but your medics are seriously short of thyroid knowledge. That, possibly because med school did not give them a good grounding!
due to blood test showing over medication.
That would be a TSH test! Well, research proves that is not a reliable marker for dosing!
Unless your FT3 is over range you will not be overmedicated
T3 is the active thyroid hormone and for good health should saturate almost every cell in the body with a constant and adequate supply.....usually from within the body ( the thyroid), by conversion of T4 to T3 and in some cases it has to be taken in tablet form
it sounds very much as if you are suffering symptoms of undermedication....but your GP is wrongly relying on a TSH test without considering your symptoms....or worst still without a full thyroid test.
Many of us test privately for this reason as has already been detailed by SlowDragon who has provided links to those tests.
The parlous state of current thyroid treatment beggars belief otherwise this forum would not reflect the level of suffering experienced by it's members!
Suggest you test, at minimum, TSH, FT4 and FT3 but ideally, TSH, FT4, FT3, vit D, vit B12, folate ferritin and antibodies TPO and Tg.
With the latter group we can thoroughly evaluate your thyroid function and point a way forward!
Speak to your GP about hormone testing if they cannot help you now have info to help you test privately!
Hang on in there....with correct treatment things should improve
Post any lab results you can obtain and members will help
First step is to get hold off all recent test results
Far too often only TSH is tested, which is completely useless
NEVER agree to dose reduction without FULL thyroid and vitamin testing
Your only over medicated if Ft3 is over range
If vitamins are low, which is extremely common after dose levothyroxine inappropriately reduced….then results in poor conversion of Ft4 to Ft3. This results in high Ft4, low Ft3 and even lower vitamin levels.
Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH
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.
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