I received my results this morning from Monitor my Health, the test was done on 23rd October before 9.00 am prior to taking my levo. l stopped taking Vit D Friday, currently not taking any other vitamins until l knew vitamin results - they all show normal. Just need some advice on meaning of results and what l can do for long term better health and a better understanding of Hypothyroidism. My GP tested for antibodies in September prior to my diagnosis which were around 350.
I currently take 25gm Levothyroxine and my next GP appointment is middle December. My TSH was 33.52 when diagnosed. Am l right in thinking my Levo is bringing it down and do you think l need an increase? I still feel tired, never wake up refreshed and have low mood swings but joint pain in my wrist and hands is easing. Thanks.
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DitzyGrandma
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Yes, taking levo reduces TSH. That's what it's supposed to do.
TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone - is a messenger from the pituitary to the thyroid telling it to make more hormone. The less hormone the thyroid makes, the higher the TSH goes, trying to stimulate the thyroid to make more. If the thyroid cannot respond the TSH just gets higher and higher.
Your thyroid, for some reason, cannot respond very well, so your TSH got very high. Your thyroid is compensating for its lack of response by making a lot of T3 (the active thyroid hormone), and much less T4 (storage hormone) than normal.
But the pituitary doesn't know the difference between T4 and T3. All it knows is that the total amount is too low, so keeps raising the TSH. When you take T4 exogenously - or T3 - the pituitary makes less TSH in response.
But, your TSH is still much too high. It should come down to one or under. So, you still have quite a way to go, and will continue to feel bad until your thyroid hormones level out, with a higher FT4. So, you need your doctor to increase your dose to 50 mcg. Do you know why he started you on such a low dose? Are you over 60? And, you will continue to need six weekly increases (ideally!) until your levels are right and your symptoms are gone.
For the nutrients, we still need ranges, not just someones opinion of your levels (good, normal, low, etc.) because these people can be very wrong! Your B12, for example, looks low, which will cause horrible symptoms. Same with vit D.
So, now some questions for you!
- How do you take your levo? Do you take it on an empty stomach and wait an hour before eating or drinking anything other than water?
- What time of day did you have the blood draw?
- How long was the gap between your last dose of levo and the blood draw?
All these things can affect our blood test results.
I am 60 and take Levo at 7.30 in a morning with water, l have my breakfast between 8.30-9.00 am.
I have been taking 3000 vit D, stopped on Friday prior to Monday's blood draw which was at 8.00 am.
Dr didn't say why on 25gm, l have assumed it was due to my dad dying of heart attack when he was 63
Now l know my vitamins could be better l will start taking more supplements. I will also ask if l can have an earlier appointment than December. Thanks again
- How long was the gap between your last dose of levo and the blood draw?
You didn't answer these most important questions.
Do you take your vit D at least four hours away from levo? And do you also take its cofactors: vit K2-MK7 and magnesium? Vit d won't do you much good unless you take magnesium with it.
Dr didn't say why on 25gm, l have assumed it was due to my dad dying of heart attack when he was 63
I doubt it had anything to do with your dad. More likely to be because you're 60. They have some weird ideas about thyroid dosing!
Don't forget the vit K2-MK7 with the vit D. Taking vit D increases absorption of calcium from food, so the vit K makes sure it goes into the bones and teeth, and doesn't build up in the arteries and soft tissues.
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
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) and continue separate B12
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
I have been taking Vit D 3000 since l was diagnosed in September. Paused since Friday for test which I did Monday. I will start taking more vitamins going forward.
I am on Wockhardt Levothyroxine.
I did the test at 8.00 am before taking Levo. Last time was 7.30 am Sunday.
I will try to get GP to bring my appointment forward from December.
You need an increase (assuming you’ve been on your low dose of 25mcg for 6-12 weeks). Once on levothyroxine, TSH needs to be 2 or under. Often said on the forum around 1 or under people start to feel better. Generalisation of course.
I would also encourage you to discuss and/or take a lead on optimising your dose at a schedule that suits you with your prescribers. For example, at my surgery one GP is happy to increase every 4 weeks, another every 6 weeks, another 8 weeks, another 3 months and even then may not consider increasing if TSH in range. So, my tip, it is imperative to state that your wellness and being symptomless sits anywhere in the range, not just being in range. And, always bring the focus on symptoms rather than tests no matter what. You may be encouraged to explore other reasons for why you are you are symptomatic, and it’s good to explore these but not with a view of ignoring that the symptoms could be due to thyroid.
The care around this is cr#p. But, you are here, and that’s a fab start. You’ve got this!
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