Levothyroxine

Hi, been on 50mg levo for 6 weeks now, not noticed any changes so due my bloods again in 3 weeks, will the gp up the dose? Also I am on hrt patches, will these affect the levo?Thankyou

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey. Click on your image icon to start.

HRT can affect your thyroid blood levels and you may need more levo as a result but as you ar only just starting on treatment and getting regular blood tests this shouldn't be an issue.

Hopefully your GP will increase your Levo dose as 50mcgs is just a starter level dose.

As thyroid patients we do need to become our own health advocates with GP’s and Endocrinologists. They get little training in how to make us feel well, instead relying on lab numbers on paper. Take some time to read up on your condition, learn and get your confidence up. This will stand you in good stead when discussing your condition and challenging things that medic say.

Do you have a copy of your latest blood results that you can share with us? You are legally entitled to this, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception..

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Do you know if you had positive thyroid antibodies? Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well.

[Hidden in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi thankyou for the good advice..my tpo results were in the hundreds also been on vit d and folic for few years now as been back and forth with all the symptons, over the last 4 years, to simply be told it was the menopause. Hopefully now my GP has done the tpo test it's obviously not the menopause, she will be able to help more

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Hidden]

So a gluten and possibly also dairy free diet may well help some of your symptoms and you have autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's.

We do need to test vitamin levels before supplementing so what were your latest vitamin results?

Vit D should also be taken with vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Absorption is improved by taking it with an oily meal or some D3 & K2 supplements contain oil.

This group recommends taking the methyl form of folic acid known as methylfolate. Some people are not able to use folic acid. Check what dose yours is, the minimum recommeded would be 400mcgs.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

50mcg is a standard starter dose and depending on your levels and what the doctors tests & how knowledgeable they are about treating thyroid most would need an increase. 

Most feel well when TSH is in lower part of range eg 1. The FT4 & FT3 in upper part of their ranges?  

Do you know what your doctor tests? You are entitled to test results, online access useful for tracking results or request a print out (with lab ranges) from receptionist. 

Doctors often look at TSH only and believe if it’s in range it’s acceptable.

Have your key nutrients been tested? Folate, ferritin, b12 & vitamin D. These need to be optimal for Levo to work well and convert to FT3 in your body. 

Have TPO & TG antibodies been tested to confirm if your under active thyroid is due to autoimmune? Do you always get same levo brand?

Best to stick with one which suits & they can change around dose adjustments as increases tend to be 25mcg per day at a time. 

Recommended testing is close to 09.00, fast overnight (lots of water for hydration & easier blood draw).  Delay dose until after draw & cease biotin supplements as biotin can interfere with test. 

[Hidden in reply to PurpleNails]

Hi, been back and forth to GP over the last 4 years, vit D low and folic low so take both of these, GP finally tested my tpo which she said where high, in the hundreds apparently...so after talking to her again she offered me the levo. When I go for my next test results I will ask for a copy. Thankyou

[Trina64]

I am on both estrogen and thyroid and it is definitely a balancing act. I think I have my estrogen in a good place and now trying to get my thyroid stable. I have dealt with hormone issues for several years and had to learn to advocate for myself. I have had lots of really bad medical treatment and basically had to start over. I just started levothyroxine 50mcg one week ago. I started on 25mcg. I am also on 5 mcg of T3. Right now, it is a rollercoster waiting for the levothyroxine to settle in.

I hope you get to the dose you need and feel stable soon. Unfortunately, it takes time and patience and it gets tiresome going through the process. I have to remind myself everyday to just be patient.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

What were TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 BEFORE starting on levothyroxine

ALWAYS get actual results and ranges on all tests

Essential to retest vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin at least once year

How much vitamin D are you currently taking

Request coeliac blood test via GP BEFORE trialing strictly gluten free diet

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

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking