Hi All,I haven't been on here for a while altho I have been on to keep up to date with what's going on in the thyroid round.
Just a bit of advise really, I had my dose decreased about two years ago to 100mcg levo daily and within a couple of months I felt the effects and started having symptoms but because it was really difficult at that time to get a face to face app with a GP I just left it and basically got on with it but the last Couple of months I've felt mentally and physically sluggish, constipation, no motivation, feeling low, extreme tiredness, these symptoms had worsened so I made an app and explained to my GP who sent me for blood test and a week later called me in to say everything is fine and no concerns regarding thyroid test (TSH) I then challenged him and he agreed to increase my dose from 100 mcg to 125mcg daily, question is shud I take the extra 25mcg daily or every other day so that so that my body has time to adjust to the increase or just go for it and take 125mcg daily. I started the new increase this morning.
I would be grateful if anyone has some info on how best deal with changes to doses.
Chris
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Years ago before I understood all things thyroid I had my dose altered like that, increased by 25mcg or decreased by 25mcg, and I just did as the GP said.
Your FT4 result would be a better guide to adjusting dose but it's up to you. You could try 12.5mcg for 6 weeks and if you feel the need for more then add the other 12.5mcg. Remember to retest 6-8 weeks after any dose change following our advised testing protocol.
If TSH is all that your GP tests then I suggest that you do a full thyroid panel privately with one of our recommended labs.
Hi SeasideSusie,I did not get the results, he just said they were normal, altho I could request them, unfortunately my GP only test TSH.
I have not had any private blood tests done for my thyroid levels or vitamins but I do take VitdD3 with K2, B12, Zinc and about to start magnesium.
I should really look into getting some private tests done as the GP do the least as possible. I may try introducing the new dose slowly and building it up. He wants me to have bloods repeated in 4 weeks time.
I have not had any private blood tests done for my thyroid levels or vitamins but I do take VitdD3 with K2, B12, Zinc and about to start magnesium.
How do you know that you need to take those supplements if you haven't tested?
D3 is fat soluble so any excess is stored in the body and can lead to toxic levels. Dose of D3 is based on your current level and the level you need to achieve. Recommended level is 100-150nmol according to the Vit D Council, Vit D Society and Grassroots Health so you test then go to the Vit D Council website to see what dose they advise to reach the recommended level.
B12 again depends on level. If very low testing for B12 deficiency and pernicious anaemia may be suggested, if you have a good level then you are wasting money supplementing. A B Complex should be taken when taking B12 in order to keep all B vitamins balanced.
Zinc should be balanced with copper. We Hypos tend to have one high and the other low so we wont know which we might need to supplement if we don't test.
In the past I have been severely deficient in D3 and my GP put me on a high dose each time and once I reach the normal level he stops D3 and then I become deficient again and the cycle repeats itself, my B12 is the same altho it's still in range but on the low side so I supplement, as for the zinc I have been deficient in zinc and so I take a supplement. GP won't test voluntary for these no more unless he feels you have symptoms of deficiency, so I take them, not that I always take them routinely I take them when I feel symptoms are coming back or am not getting it in my diet due to the hours I work, I work long hours and my diet is not consistent.
When supplementing we should test once or twice a year (definitely twice for D3 due to possible seasonal adjustment) to ensure we are taking the right dose. If GP wont do it then we have to do it ourselves.
Thank you SlowDragon that info you have posted is really helpful. I will definetly get these tests arranged and once I have the results I will post them and hopefully I can make some sense of them.
The amount you increase at once is so individual. I generally go for the full increase because I am probably going to feel bad for a while either way, so I would rather just get to my optimal level as soon as possible. Others have to make changes more slowly.
I just finishing up week 2 of going to 100mcg and the adjusting is getting better, but the benefits haven't really kicked in much yet.
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