TSH lower but T4 lower too: I have been taking... - Thyroid UK

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TSH lower but T4 lower too

BethH77 profile image
6 Replies

I have been taking 50mcg Levo daily for the last 2 years for subclinical hypothyroidism. I've recently started feeling really tired and rough again so did some bloods. My TSH has come down from the previous 3 but my T4 is down too. My CRP is raised too and has been for last 2 years around same level.My GP said I'm fine! I do not feel fine......please help.

TSH 1.16 (0.27 - 4.2)

Free T3 4.9 (3.1 - 6.8)

Free T4 11.6 (12 - 22)

Vit B12 69.7 (37.5-188)

Vit D 80.3 (50 -250)

CRP HS 6.63 (3 max)

Ferritin 85.5 30-150)

Low antibody levels

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BethH77
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6 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

You need immediate 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

Retest again in another 6-8 weeks

50mcg levothyroxine is only the standard STARTER dose

See (different?) GP

Print out these guidelines ready to push for increase in dose

guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight

Even if we frequently start on only 50mcg, most people need to increase levothyroxine dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps (retesting 6-8 weeks after each increase) until eventually on, or near full replacement dose

NICE guidelines on full replacement dose

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145/...

1.3.6

Consider starting levothyroxine at a dosage of 1.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (rounded to the nearest 25 micrograms) for adults under 65 with primary hypothyroidism and no history of cardiovascular disease.

Also here

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypo...

pathlabs.rlbuht.nhs.uk/tft_...

Guiding Treatment with Thyroxine:

In the majority of patients 50-100 μg thyroxine can be used as the starting dose. Alterations in dose are achieved by using 25-50 μg increments and adequacy of the new dose can be confirmed by repeat measurement of TSH after 2-3 months.

The majority of patients will be clinically euthyroid with a ‘normal’ TSH and having thyroxine replacement in the range 75-150 μg/day (1.6ug/Kg on average).

The recommended approach is to titrate thyroxine therapy against the TSH concentration whilst assessing clinical well-being. The target is a serum TSH within the reference range.

……The primary target of thyroxine replacement therapy is to make the patient feel well and to achieve a serum TSH that is within the reference range. The corresponding FT4 will be within or slightly above its reference range.

The minimum period to achieve stable concentrations after a change in dose of thyroxine is two months and thyroid function tests should not normally be requested before this period has elapsed.

Likely to need further increases over coming months

BethH77 profile image
BethH77 in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

was test done early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

BethH77 profile image
BethH77 in reply toSlowDragon

Yes it was....I took my meds after my test. I take a vit D/K spray and a general vitamin supplements for perimenopause

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toBethH77

Multivitamins never recommended on here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

You might change for a good quality daily vitamin B complex

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help maintain B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

Other options

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

Igennus B complex popular option too. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

BethH77 profile image
BethH77 in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you

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