Unithriod 50 MCG Question

[Hydronestitch]

Hi there,

Has anyone been on this medication before? Have you seen any differences?

I have been on this going on for 3 months. I do not see a difference or feel any different. I am concerned that I am taking this medication for nothing.

[jrbarnes]

I've tried Unithroid, although I'm not on it now I consider it to be a reliable brand name Levothyroxine. Unithroid is manufactured in the US so I don't think anyone on this forum will have tried it except for those living in the US. 50mcg is a starter dose, so 50, 75, 88, 100 etc. Raised every 4-6 weeks. Levo is dosed 1.6 mcg per KG of body. Read the link below about optimal levels and lab work.

restartmed.com/normal-thyro...

dosage instructions for Unithroid. Your Dr should be following the guidelines.

dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailym...

[greygoose]

It's not really 'medication' in the normal sense of the word. It's not a drug, it's thyroid hormone replace - T4/levothyroxine. With hormones you have to start low and build up slowly, giving your body time to adjust in between each increase. And it won't make much difference to the way you feel unless you take enough.

After three months, it's high time your doctor gave you a retest and an increase of 25 mcg. Very, very doubtful that 50 mcg would be enough for you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Levothyroxine is a replacement thyroid hormone, not a medication

Blood should be retested 6-8 weeks after starting on levothyroxine

50mcg is only a starter dose

Highly likely you are ready for next 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

Typically dose levothyroxine is increased slowly upwards in 25mcg steps over 6-12 months until on high enough dose to bring TSH around or under 1

Most important results are always Ft3 followed by Ft4

Looking for Ft3 at least 50-60% through range

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

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

Frequently necessary to supplement to maintain optimal vitamin levels

Please add country you live in, age and if male or female on your profile

[Jazzw]

As others have said, 50mcg is a starter dose. Your doctor should have called you back in for a blood test at the 6-8 weeks mark and sent you for a blood test to see whether it was time for a raise in dosage. Sounds like 50mcg isn’t going to be enough for you (it wouldn’t be for most people!).

Go back to your doctor and ask for those blood tests to be done.