Hi there everyone, I think this is 1st time posting here, usually on NRAS.Lifetime history for me and hypothyroidism, was diagnosed when I was 22months old and looked after by a paediatrician, even until I was 18. After that wasn't referred onto anywhere else just GP which was OK but been up and down since.
My levels have been all over the place at times, TSH of 60 being the highest. I've had blood tests every couple of months over the last year, all abnormal, GP upped by 25mcg and TSH has gone low and T4 carrying on rising, such fun 🙃
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Ginger46
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I'm just wondering when you take your last Levo before the test? We recommend leaving 24 hours from last Levo until blood draw for accurate results showing stable blood levels.
We need to be sure to take Levo on an empty stomach, an hour away from food and caffeine containing drinks. Many people find taking it at bedtime works well for them.
Are you taking any meds that might interfere with Levo's absorption such as a PPI?
Do you always get the same brand of Levo at each prescription? It's ideal if you can always get the same brand of levo at every prescription. You can do this by getting GP to write the brand you prefer in the first line of the prescription. Many people find that different brands are not interchangeable.
I'd recommend getting full private blood testing as a first step to see whats happening with your FT3 which the NHS rarely if ever tests for. Its likely you also have low if not deficient levels of vitamins which is very common in hypo people.
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...
There is also a new company offering walk in & mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...
Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.
Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)? Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo just prior to blood draw can show a falsly elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.
⁸Hi there, thankyou for replying, I always take my Thyroid medication 1st thing in the morning. I don't leave an hour but it's normally a light breakfast and decaff coffee but could do that better. I can only go through GP to pathlab after midday, not letting anyone take bloods at GP surgery. As for brand, I haven't a clue anymore but did say years ago no TEVA to GP surgery and chemist. GP won't allow for brand names anymore only generic so I at least get something rather than nothing, had this with eyedrops.
Had some of those tests done before (ferritin etc) but they were normal. For private tests I would have to find someone to take blood wouldn't I?.
Photo of current medications, have RA too and eye problems etc etc, autoimmune is such fun. Only one not shown is my biologic Tocilizumab as not taken since December, was waiting to get cataract procedure then 2nd was only done 6weeks ago. So not had that treatment and can't go on until after my left elbow replacement and that's God knows when.
Switching to a bed time dose would help absorbtion and make things more consistent. Levo is an extremely fussy hormone so does not like to be taken alongside other meds or foods.
I can't see a photo of meds.
'Normal' vitamin results aren't good enough. If you have the results please post them with ranges. our level needs to be OPTIMAL which is often in the upper quarter of the range not the bottom.
Several of the private testing companies also offer a blood draw service usually at an extra cost. Other wise they offer finger prick test that you can do at home. Follow instructions for preparation carefully to help blood flow.
There is government guidance about naming a brand/generic name for Levothyroxine. I attach an image of how it should look on your prescription. gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...
I don;t think any of those particularly affect the absorption of Levo but you need to take levo on its own away from anything else for an hour. This may be why your blood results are see sawing.
Thankyou so much for all your advice, I really do appreciate it, will wake up earlier to take my levo now but do need my painkillers as early as possible too. GP want me to get in touch, this will be how are you feeling, blood test in 8 weeks again but that'll give me time to implement changes xx
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