Advice please

[Distressedthyroid]

Diagnosed with hypothyroidism in June 2022. Reading TSH 10.9. Prescribed 50mg Levothyroxine maker accord.

Reading in Sep 2022 was 3.3

June 2023 reading 6.4 given additional 25mg maker Teva

Reading Sep 2023 was 2.1

Still feeling well under par. Tired, woolly headed and unmotivated. As for the weight twice the woman I was while half the woman I was in other ways. I can wake up at 2am to go the loo and feel fine but at 7.30am far from great. Am considering taking 50mg before breakfast and 25mg before dinner. Comment and suggestions please.

[greygoose]

A TSH of 2.1 is still too high, so not surprising you're still feeling under-par. Was your dose not increased after that reading? It should have been. TSH should come down to 1 or under.

Some people do find it beneficial to split their dose of levo, so worth a try. But, if I were you, I'd be pushing for another increase in levo.

[Distressedthyroid in reply to greygoose]

Thanks. I’m inclined to ask for another test.

[greygoose in reply to Distressedthyroid]

Probably a bit soon for another test, but if you don ask for one, ask for FT4/3 to be tested, as well. Just testing TSH is totally inadequate.

[JenniferW]

Teva made me feel rotten, it might help if you ask for only Accord to be prescribed and split some of the 50mg pills in half to make a75mg dose of one and a half pills. I have to do that and it's quite easy with a pill cutter which I bought for a few quid online. Or you might need 100mg as greygoose suggests. We are all different, personally I feel best with a TSH of around 1.5 but others need to be under 1.

[Minimol]

We are all different but some find taking their full Levo dose at night works best while others split it morning and night. Trial and error and patience is the key.

When posting results it’s advisable to include your full results to include the lab ranges. Would also be best to get a full thyroid panel done to include Free T4 & 3.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start. Fill out the free text box at the top.

A TSH of over 2 is too high. Most people feel well when their TSH is at or just under 1.

Not only that but they have only tested TSH and to see whats really happening you need to see TSH, FT4 & FT3. Many members pay for private blood tests to see the results that will help them get well.

So you need to make an appointment with your GP and insist on a dose increase. Find one that is more open minded and helpful.

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.

Always take Levo on an empty stomach an hour away from food or caffeine containing drinks & other meds. Many people find taking it at bedtime works well for them.

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 (includes free blood draw) & 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.

Do you know if you had positive thyroid antibodies? Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test.

[SilverSavvy]

Good advice here from GG and Jaydee. As I understand it, if correctly medicated with levo you should be having TSH of about 1 or less.

Have you looked at your vitamins as well? They can make a big difference to general wellbeing - and especially tiredness - by being optimised.

If the GP is not keen to add those onto your blood tests (as well as T4/T3 you need) you can always get a blood test privately. Medichecks, for example, do an Advanced Thyroid Test which includes all the relevant vits and thyroid markers -and you can get a discount as a member of Thyroid UK.