Re-testing

[Calceolaria]

Is it ok to have the NHS TSH blood test after 4 weeks of an increase in levothyroxine, or must it be longer ? Thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Minimum 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Book early morning test, ideally 9am latest and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Meanwhile you presumably are now working on improving low vitamin D - in recent Medichecks tests

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

And consider returning to strictly gluten free diet

[Calceolaria in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon. Yrs, I’m supplementing with D plus K oral spray by BetterYou. I’ve never got on with D supplements, making me feel quite ill, not just tummy. But this one is tolerated ok.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Calceolaria

It's very tempting to test too soon after an increase, I think we are all impatient to improve our situation, but it's not really helpful. As SlowDragon says, 6-8 weeks minimum is recommended, personally I find that my levels can still be settling after 10 weeks.

[Calceolaria in reply to SeasideSusie]

Well, you’re right Susie, I am being impatient.

Last week, I asked doc for blood test slip, just so’s I’d have it ready. I received a txt from pharmacist in the medical group, saying that owing to my recent blood test result, they’d increased my levo to 100 and it was waiting for me at local pharmacist! I haven’t had a blood test since September, when my prescription went from 50 to 75! Luckily, I was able to resolve this but it’s rather worrying.

[diogenes Remembering]

The big problem about when to retest on T4 therapy is first, how long did you suffer from untreated hypothyroidism before treatment began. The longer you suffer, the more the pituitary gland atrophies (wizens) and the slower it is to recover and respond to dosing. 6-8 weeks is certainly better than 4, because it gives your pituitary longer to recover from the hypothyroid state. It is however a matter that is purely empirical, so that your subjective feelings are just as, if not more, important.

[Calceolaria in reply to diogenes]

Thanks Diogenes.

[Deeday]

British Thyroid Foundation says you should be retested after 3 months after an increase. But other websites say from 6 weeks. Depending on what your doctor says I'd think you should wait at least 2 months

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

its odd that the patient leaflet in Levo pack says from 4 weeks…. I noticed I felt dreadful in weeks 3-4 of my increases, felt better again by 6-7-8. My GP says 12.