Morning All, After a reading of 7.5 and classed as subclinical I was given 25mg of Levothyroxine in August 22, recent readings are Thyroid function test
Serum TSH level 3.31 mu/l [0.27
4.2]
Serum free T4 level 18.9 pmol/L
[10.0-21.0]
My issue is I still feel tired, cold and I have gained 1.5 stone on top of what I had gained previously. I have been trying to lose weight but to no avail! has anyone any thoughts? Thanks 😊
Will your TSH above 2, I would push for an increase in medication as the 25mcg dose you are on is a very low starter dose. Most members report feeling best with TSH significantly below 1.
It would be useful to know your FT3 level, in addition to TSH and FT4. Key vitamins (ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D) are also important in supporting the thyroid, but do test first and post results before considering supplementing.
If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:
How old are you?
Standard starter dose of levothyroxine 50mcg
Levothyroxine doesn’t top up failing thyroid, it replaces it
ALWAYS 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
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
Make an appointment with GP
Request 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine
Also request vitamin D, Folate, ferritin and B12 tested
Plus thyroid antibodies (if not already been tested)
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options and money off codes
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 and includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies -£29
randoxhealth.com/at-home/Th...
Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65
(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)
monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...
10% off code here
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...
Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Trying to take that in and decide my next move 🤔
hi. I felt the same so my gp suggested I have an additional blood test which resulted in me finding out I had hasimotos thyroditis , I now take alot of vitamins along side Levothyroxine, although not at the same time. I still have flare ups but when on the right dose which for me is 50 it’s better
I was on levo 25mg for about 3 years and I had no problems my TSH and T4 was in normal range. But I also felt tired my weight would fluctuate. But last September I went through a huge ordeal my anxiety went through the roof chest palpitations chest pain ringing in the ears just felt like death. I end up putting myself in Psych because I didn't know what to do when the doctors were saying there was nothing wrong with me. Well I found out I am going through menopause at 55 late age. And I also found out that I have Hashimoto's my antibodies were very high, my TSH is 534.9 I have never had numbers this high the highest I have ever had was a 7, in January they were 1.3. They increased my levo to 50 mg 2 weeks ago I go for more blood tests in 4 weeks to see where my levels are at. I will most likely need a higher dose as of now I feel like crap so I really don't have a good answer for you. I am struggling to get answers myself. I hope you feel better and I would ask to have your blood drawn again and see where you're at, best wishes
Think maybe I need a few bloods GPs don't do, I hope you get your levels sorted out soon seems there is no simple answer its a bit like a maths test 😖
Thank you hope you get your figured out as well good luck
Levo never worked for me. Let me repeat that NEVER - not for the 5 years of constant blood tests, upping the dose, downing the dose, same like you, same symptoms, constant weight gain. Finally, went to NDT (pharmaceutical pig thyroid glands), with some improvement in symptoms, but no reduction in weight gain. Fast forward 30 years, and yes, NDT did afford a life with a full schedule of work, and parenting, and volunteering and more (I had the energy to do all that I wanted to do). Eventually, it stopped working...right around menapause...
At that point, I took the drastic step of listening to the alternative medicine gurus, reduced iodine for 30 days, (and thereafter constantly monitored intake of iodine, ie, diet, etc.) and am now 3 years without thyroid hormone replacement, losing weight, regaining energy, and living an unbelievable "Sr." life. Still working, still keeping up with grandchildren, gardening, traveling. Someone here recently published a paper from Dr. Lowe. (A super knowledgable Dr. who points to many causes / remedies of thyroid disease). I'll look for that post and repost it here - unless someone beats me to it. Dr. Lowe was way ahead of his time in the treatment of thyroid disease. He articulates distinctly why Levo doesn't work in so many people. My advice:? Keep looking for other remedies - other than Levo. There are many ways to treat thyroid disease.
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