Stopping Levothyroxine temporarily

[LilacGran]

I found out I had an underactive thyroid when had a routine blood test after breast cancer diagnosis. I had no symptoms, but was put on Levothyroxine (50) by GP at the time. I was also on Letrozole to stop estrogen.

I was on Letrozole for 7 years, but since stopping it, I've had tummy problems...bloating, pains etc after eating.

I stopped taking Levothyroxine to see if it would make things better. It did!

I'm wondering if now that my body is able to make estrogen again, the dose of Levothyroxine needs to be reduced?

I'm 71 years old now .. If that's relevant. I'll make a GP appt to chat things over, but just wondering if anyone on here had any thoughts?

[jimh111]

I would have a blood test about four weeks (or more) after you have been off levothyroxine to see if your thyroid is producing enough hormone. You need at least TSH and fT4, fT3 would be helpful also. They usually just do TSH but your doctor should also request fT4 and make a note of the special circumstances insisting fT4 is done. If you feel well and you have reasonably normal levels then you can come off levothyroxine.

[LilacGran in reply to jimh111]

Thank you for this. I'll ask for these tests. Not used to telling gp's what they should do tho. But I'll try 😊🤞

[jimh111 in reply to LilacGran]

Cancers and oestrogens can affect the thyroid and the thyroid blood tests so it's reasonable to retest but fT4 must be measured as a minimum. Ask for TSH, fT3 and fT4 and ask the doctor to note why they are being requested.

The hospital labs often don't do fT3 even if a GP requests it so it's not your doctor's fault if it isn't done.