thyroid medication adjustment

[Sonicfairydust]

hello

My recent tests are

28/03/23 serum free T4: 17.1 pmol /L

TSH 3.23 mu/L

24/4/23 T4 16.2 pmol/L

TSH 3.40 mu/L

I was previously on 75mg of levothyroxine and my recent April blood test reflects the new dose of 50mg I’ve been on since March 11th.

I’ve put on at least a stone in weight especially around my waist area.

Should I increase back to 75mg/day?

I lowered the dose due to palpitations but they are now better since herbal treatment.

Many thanks

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Palpitations are a not uncommon symptom of being hypo. 50mcgs is just a starter dose.

Your TSH on previous and current dose is too high. People generally feel well with a TSH at or just under 1.

If you experience palpitations again I would recommend increasing your dose next time. You now need to go back to 75mcgs and retest in 6-8 weeks.

What were your latest vitamin blood results?

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 always get the same brand at each prescription?

[Sonicfairydust in reply to Jaydee1507]

yes same brand. Ferritin levels were low and B12 too high all the rest was normal.

Will very slowly increase back up and test regularly.

Many thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

What were recent vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 results

Palpitations can be low iron/ferritin…..extremely common to have low vitamin levels when under medicated as you were in March and now increasingly hypothyroid

Increase back to 75mcg ….retest in 6-8 weeks

Likely to need further increases over coming months

[Sonicfairydust in reply to SlowDragon]

all results were normal, ferritin levels rather low and B12 too high due to supplements.

Palpitations were caused by Lyme and coinfections but much better since starting treatment.

Will very slowly increase again and test regularly.

Many thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sonicfairydust]

what are actual vitamin results

What supplements are you taking

Presumably you are working on improving low ferritin