What happens to your body when you adjust dose? - Thyroid UK

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What happens to your body when you adjust dose?

Thyroid_mum profile image
35 Replies

Hi again,

I wondered if anyone knows what happens to your body when you increase your dose. I find even if I increase my dose slightly, a couple of days after I get a weird taste in my mouth and 2-3 days of feeling horrendous, like every cell in my body is sick (if that makes any sense) Tintis is louder and experience a wired sensation in my brain. I have been getting these episodes ever since I have tried to make amendments to get T3 into my regime back in September 2022. (I've tried instant release, slow release, desiccated Pig) all of which I cannot tolerate - I thought I turned a corner with the glandular I have managed to reimport from the US but the past two days I've felt very unwell after upping the dose from 2.5 capsules to 3.5 capsules (65mcg in each capsule).

Has anyone else experienced anything similar and know what might be going on?

I am getting saliva cortisol results tomorrow which I am hoping will give some insight as to why I cannot tolerate T3. 🤞

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Thyroid_mum
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35 Replies
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator

Some people are more sensitive to changes in any form of thyroid hormone so need to go slowly and in very small amounts at a time. If you have a product in a capsule you could tip some out and take the remaining product.

OPTIMAL vitamins are also required and if they are not good enough then that can make a difference. I see the vitamin results you posted the other day your B12 was pretty low.

Have you made a start on raising that level?

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to Jaydee1507

thanks Jaydee - the Lipsomel Vitamin B Complex is on route with Amazon.

The Megamag Calmeze I take has Vitamin B's in it too - shouldn't be a problem adding more?

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply to Thyroid_mum

I just checked, it contains B's 1,2,3,5 & 6 (no B9 or 12). It is possible to take too much B6 so would recommend you switch your magnesium supplement when the B complex arrives.

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to Jaydee1507

I did the Vitamin D calculator too and i need 3200 IU to get to my target Blood level.

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply to Thyroid_mum

So buy one that has 3000iu and every couple of weeks take an extra one. Also get one that contains K2 to help it go to your bones.

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to Jaydee1507

Thank you for your help 😊

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to Jaydee1507

i have a Methyl B12 spray for under my tongue which is 1000mcg

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply to Thyroid_mum

Yes, you need that AND the B complex for extra B12. Your last result was too low.

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to Jaydee1507

great

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

I've felt very unwell after upping the dose from 2.5 capsules to 3.5 capsules (65mcg in each capsule).

Have you read this...

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

On glandulars there is no stated thyroid hormone content so the reason you feel unwell is likely because you are now injesting either too much or too little hormone...and possibly iodine as well

I'm afraid your dosing regime appears to have been erratic which makes finding your correct dose well nigh impossible.

Your symptoms suggest overmedication but without labs following 6/8 weeks on a steady dose of hormone it's anybody's guess.

Thyroid treatment must be low and slow allowing the body time to adapt to the new dose. Faster increases are counter productive and confuse the system.

Decide on the dose you think best suits you, stick with that carefully for at least 6 weeks then test again

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to DippyDame

my T4 and T3 are both very low

Latest results
DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply to Thyroid_mum

What dose(s) of hormone were you taking before this test and was that a stable dose for the previous 6/8 weeks?

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to DippyDame

I was on 17.5 mcg slow release t3 and 100/125 Levo previously. But got terrible palpitations for long periods each day (20 minute episodes).

I can feel like I am without adjusting meds too, it’s very random periods.

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to Thyroid_mum

I was on these glandulars before and did very well with Levo. But there was an issue last year with delivery. I’ve only recently swung back to them in early April and have been feeling ok up until yesterday.

hipolion profile image
hipolion

the same thing happens to me, plus the tendons in my legs hurt

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to hipolion

ok, so it’s not just me. Wonder what causes it.

hipolion profile image
hipolion in reply to Thyroid_mum

only with a small dose of antidepressants I managed to cope with the situation

birkie profile image
birkie

Hi ❤️

I've just posted this very thing, I had full thyroidectomy in 2019 and my gp as tried me on numerous thyroid drugs each time I increase I feel worse, mine is bowles /stomach (I have colitis and are lactose intolerant) but I to get this awful taste in my mouth and yes it gets way more noticeable when I increase, it's like a metallic taste it's awful, it's the first thing that hits me on waking, and it actually makes me wrench🤢 until I can use my mouth wash then double clean my teeth.

I to just think I've turned a corner then I do the increase by 5mg (I'm on T3 Roma) And i have the problems stomach /bowles horrid taste worsening, I'm also looking into cortisol because mine was really low in 2020 at 175..but I responded to the test in hospital so gp dismissed me😔

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to birkie

Hope you’re able to stabilise soon 🤞🏼

ICE187 profile image
ICE187

I developed tinnitus, vision issues, bone pains, muscle pains, digestive issues, worsening palpitations, metallic taste in my mouth, neuropathy in my toes and fingers AFTER starting levothyroxine. After each dose increase, I would feel bad for about the first week, then great for 4 weeks, then on the 5th and 6th week, I would feel worse. This happened with each increase in levothyroxine. I'm on 100mcg and my tsh is "in range", but not optimal. I rarely have symptoms now unless I slip up and eat known foods that trigger a reaction. It was a juggling act of getting the right vitamins, minerals and herbs along with a strict diet before I got my issues under control. It took me a year. According to my weight, I should be on 137mcg of levothyroxine, but my doctor refuses to raise it. I tried to get him to raise it to 112mcg and he said no. Regardless of his ignorance, I am containing my symptoms. I first went gluten and dairy free. This helped for a few months only. Then I cut out all sugars. My symptoms kept coming back. I then added a low FODMAP diet and that one seemed to be the missing link for me. Major improvement and fast.

EvaC75 profile image
EvaC75 in reply to ICE187

have been on levothyroxine since 2004 and I have also developed all of those symptoms you are describing but my GI are still being investigated and it's taking forever but I feel really bad indeed and the worst part is not knowing what it is and what to do to improve. Have you considered taking the natural Desiccated thyroid one at all? I am very interested but understand it's not easy in the UK and it is only on private

ICE187 profile image
ICE187 in reply to EvaC75

I have thought about NDT, but I feel great now. It isn't worth messing up my system by switching medications. I was recently diagnosed with autoimmune pancreatitis type 1 and Sjogren's as well. I had refused the high dose steroid meds since going on a low fodmap diet seemed to majorly help. If I have any foods with gluten, dairy, sugar or fat in it, all of those pains instantly hit and it takes a day or 2 before they go away. It was taking several weeks. Are you on any kind of diet?

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to ICE187

glad you’re feeling good.

I hope at whole food based and avoid dairy, alcohol, sugar and gluten

ICE187 profile image
ICE187 in reply to Thyroid_mum

What I don't understand is I never had these issues until after I started on levothyroxine. I was eating fast foods and all other good junk lol without any issues until I got on the levo.

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to ICE187

I’ve been on Levo for many years now. I think I increased my glandular too quickly and got the symptoms above. It’s normally for a day or two then I’m ok. But it can happen too randomly without adjusting meds 😣

EvaC75 profile image
EvaC75 in reply to ICE187

Oh here is a thing I have been on low fodmap diet and for many moths I have cut out gluten and dairy BUT it made absolutely no improvements to the way I feel or my bowel movements. I was recently tested to SIBO too so really anxious to receive the results but hoping that I have that so at least I can get the antibiotics . On top of everything I am menopausal, my last period was about 3.5 years ago . they say it's also linked to the hyperthyroidism. I am trying so hard to do all the right things, being active, eat extremely healthy and yet I am failing or not achieving much in doing so. When I was diagnosed with Hashimoto 19 years ago i was told that I will be taking this magical pill every day and not to worry and look at me now. I am dealing with all this garbage and my anxiety is through the roof 😞

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to EvaC75

I had sibo, had to do a lot of work on my micro biome and still have to take support daily to ensure my motility stays up.

Thyroid disorders are debilitating.

ICE187 profile image
ICE187 in reply to Thyroid_mum

Do you drink Kefir? Great stuff for the microbiome.

EvaC75 profile image
EvaC75 in reply to Thyroid_mum

I am still waiting for my results and hoping it is indeed SIBO as at least I will have an answer to what to do, avoid etc etc. What test did you have to find out? I had gastroscopy and the initial report was no abnormalities found hence waiting for the lab tests

ICE187 profile image
ICE187 in reply to EvaC75

I definitely feel your pain. My doctors already had me nailed with cancer to amyloidosis because they couldn't find a cause. That was due to them not listening to me. They were throwing me in with the masses. I refused a bone marrow biopsy and ordered tests that were autoimmune related. With certain markers elevated, then they began to listen and did a lip biopsy and pancreas biopsy. Sjogren's and Autoimmune Pancreatitis. I was having severe gut issues from digestive to pain in my whole gut area that radiated to my back area, kidneys, spine, adrenal gland area. When I went gluten and dairy free, this went away, but it was short lived. I then cut out sugar. No affect. Doctors suspected colon cancer or pancreatic cancer. One day out of curiosity, I took a steroid. All of my symptoms went away. I thought hmmmmm, has to be inflammation. A week later, my issues hit again. I took another steroid. Symptoms went away. I never heard of autoimmune pancreatitis before or the treatments. I came across it on a website and noticed I had all of the symptoms. Treatment is steroids. So I started messing around with known inflammatory foods that trigger a flare and everytime, I would flare with those pains. My dr said he had never heard of it, but refused to run the test, so I ordered it and it hit. Aip type 1 affects multiple organs and comes with hashimoto or another autoimmune diseases. Aip diet is low fodmap. Interestingly, I can now control my weight gain and loss. It's torture as far as inflicting pain. For me to gain weight, I eat gluten or high fodmap for a day. To rapidly lose weight, I stick to a low fodmap diet, gluten, dairy and sugar free. To maintain my weight, I have a cheat day once a week. Hopefully you get your issue figured out. I know the worry that you are going through.

EvaC75 profile image
EvaC75 in reply to ICE187

we are on similar journey by the look of it. I tried the AIP diet ages ago, one of the hardest things to do in my life especially since I am a foodie. But nothing works for me. I hear these amazing stories when ppl cut out stuff and they see massive improvements, that was never me :(. I am glad you seems to be more in control with your life than me. Good luck 😀

Trina64 profile image
Trina64

I increased my levothyroxine 5 days ago and switched the brand name Synthroid at that time. I don't know if that is available everywhere in the world. I am in the U.S. and many claim they do better on it. I actually felt better until this morning. I am more emotional and anxious, but I keep telling myself it is just hormonal upheaval and will calm down eventually. I am also hungry all the time. I assume that is because when one hormone changes it causes a domino effect.

I tried different NDT and did well on NatureThroid until it went out of production. I was on NP Thyroid for several months and could not get stable on it first anything. My T4 would fall below range and my T3 would ho high. I was on a constant rollercoaster.

I also take 5mcg of T3. I do think the fatigue and brain fog are better. Now, if I can get my emotions to settle down. I miss my happy, easy-going self.

Thyroid_mum profile image
Thyroid_mum in reply to Trina64

I hear you.

I’m going to test again in 6 weeks and may need to add t3 in small doses.

I couldn’t tolerate any NDT unfortunately, but do well in glandular. The body is weird! 😂

Trina64 profile image
Trina64 in reply to Thyroid_mum

Yes, very complicated and I think us females are even more complicated because of all the hormone fluctuations. Getting doctors to listen is frustrating as well. When I feel well, I am high energy and ready for the next adventure. When my hormones are messed up, then leave me alone.

Trina64 profile image
Trina64 in reply to Thyroid_mum

The waiting to test drives me crazy...hopefully I am getting closer and you are too.

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