I have been taking levothyroxine for just over 2 months. My gp started me on a very low dose of 25mg and I’m due bloods in a month. After about 4 weeks it felt like my tiredness had improved and I was feeling more energetic but the last few weeks I feel back to square one again.
I had a partial thyroidectomy in September so I’m not sure if it’s just very early days and I was hoping to feel an improvement faster!
Any advice?
Thank you!
Amy
Welcome to the group.
It's very normal to feel worse on a low dose of Levo like 25mcgs or even 50mcgs. It's just not enough to replace your own thyroid output. You should begin to remain feeling well after a dose increase as you get closer to optimally replaced.
Bloods can be done 6-8 weeks after a dose increase so perhaps see if your GP will do your bloods a bit earlier. Seems like they are being very conservative indeed.
It can take many months to feel better and is very much a waiting game.
See if your GP will test key vitamins of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3. When hypo we get low stomach acid and don't absorb vitamins well. Get a print out of the results from GP reception and post them here for comments.
It helps if you have the NHS app as you can then ask GP reception for access to blood results on it. Not all GPs surgeries do this yet though.
thank you for replying! Makes sense to get bloods now which I will arrange
what is requested in form? We may be able to tell what will be tested.
Standard starter dose is 50mcg, (not mg) do you why lower starting dose? Are you over 60 or have heart issues?
What was reason for partial thyroidectomy?
Initially the hormone replacement tops up levels (which is why you felt improved) but then natural output adjusts & it replaces hormones. Never say “energised” to dr they’ll assume you are taking too much. Doctor will be looking for numbers to be in range results, you are looking to be well again.
You can expect to increase dose by 25mcg per day & usually this can be every 8 weeks after a blood test. Your doctor is stretching this out by making you wait another month.
Very important you obtain your results, see what dr is testing & track your results. Do you have access to results. Online access helpful. If not, collect a printed copy & post results with lab ranges. Always needed as vary between labs.
Doctor may test TSH and conclude when this in range your thyroid level should be ok but you need FT4 & FT3 tested.
Do you know if Doctor has test nutrients and thyroid antibodies? There are private options for full test if lab won’t test everything.
Book blood draw early in morning, fast over night & delay dose until after draw. Avoid biotin 3 days before test, can interfere with test & skew results. This gives consistent results.
Watch out for changes in brand when dose altered, best to stick to brand which suits.
thank you for your reply.
I do have a heart condition, I suffer from AF so could be why I have a low starting dose. I’m only 41 though.
I had the partial thyroidectomy as I had a large thyroid lump about the size of a golf ball. So I had that and the left side removed. Before that my thyroid results were all in range but I have had symptoms of an under active thyroid for years.
Thank you for the advice on getting bloods now rather than waiting, I will book in as I have the form.
Under active thyroid can cause AF, just so you know. Mine went completely when I was on a higher dose. Good luck!
Book early morning for blood test, ideally 9am or earlier and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Request GP also test thyroid antibodies, vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at next test
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