What is a good level

[Candyben]

My thyroxine levels haven't been stable for a few years now. I am now taking 100mg and 75 mg salternative days. What should a normal level be...

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

There are a lot of variables here and depends on many factors, we are all individuals.

Firstly approx how much do you weigh in kilos? Theres a formula to give a very approx guide to how much Levo you might need.

Then you need to be careful about when you have a blood test. TSH varies throughout the day so we need to get our blood tests done as close to 9am as possible to get the highest result. GPs often base our dose on this.

When you take your test you should never take your levo just before the test. Always leave 24hrs between last dose of Levo and the blood test otherwise you are measuring what you have just taken and not the stable blood levels.

Getting blood tests right consistently can help us maintain a steady dose as blood results are more stable.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand

ALWAYS Test thyroid levels early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Please add most recent results and ranges

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am 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...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies) 

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here 

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...