Just diagnosed hypo. TSH 35.2. T4 10.2. ON LEVOTHYROXINE 50.

[Corcor]

Feeling absolutely exhausted. Should i be on higher dose of meds. Also have a frozen shoulder which isn't helping with the insomnia. Any help or advice greatly appreciated.Thank you.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Welcome to forum 

50mcg is a standard starter dose, you will undoubtedly need further increases in gradual steps to a higher “full” replacement dose. 

So every 6-8 weeks you should have a retest and increase by 25mcg per day.

Sometimes if you tolerate increases well you can increase quicker but many find find it more of a shock to rush it. 

Was anything else apart from TSH & FT4 tested?

TSH is very high - over 10 is overt, FT4 ranges vary between labs but you must be quite unwell with very low / under range  FT4 by most ranges. 

For full test you also need FT3 (the active, more powerful hormone). 

TPO & TG antibodies 

For Levothyroxine to work well key nutrients need to optimal.

Nutrients often low as being hypothyroid causes low stomach acid causes poor digestion & absorption.

Folate, ferritin,B12 & Vitamin D should be tested, many use private testing options to gain a complete picture. 

Gluten often issue with autoimmune thyroid issues, testing for allergy first step.

Many find they need to stay with same brand of Levo.

Recommendation for thyroid tests:

A - Always check what’s being tested & collect test results with reference range. 

B - Biotin - cease 3 days before draw to avoid possible test interference 

C - Consistent unchanged dose - minimum 6 weeks previously. 

D - Delay replacement dose on morning (take after blood draw) 

E - Early morning appointment. (Book blood draw as close to 09.00 as possible) 

F - Fast overnight.  This can have a slight impact on TSH level.

[tattybogle in reply to PurpleNails]

like the abcdef ~ neat

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to tattybogle]

Feel free to re-use & repeat or improve it if you find helpful. Not the ideal order - but might help us remember things.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Frozen shoulder is extremely common with thyroid disease

jerseyrehab.com/is-thyroid-...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/329...