Thyroxine increase from 100 to 125

[Happy-go-lucky]

hi I recently had annual blood test to check levels and my thyroid was low and they upped my dose to 125. Been taking for a week and feeling anxious, emotional, irrational and now and then racing heart and was wondering if this is normal. I have gained weight too and I eat heathy and a runner and get out 4 times a week. But that’s because I was on the wrong dose. Any advice would be useful

[arTistapple]

I had a terrible response to putting my dose up to 125 mcg. On the forum it’s the opinion that as you get nearer the dose you actually need, tweaking would be more effective. 25 mcg is a big jump at this point. Someone far more experienced hopefully will come along and help you at a more civilised time in the morning.

However I would be tempted (with hindsight) to cut the 25 mcg in half or even a quarter and take it until you know you are not getting this unwelcome effect. Then increase it when your familiar hypo symptoms return. You might want to get an overview of your bloods at six weeks on whatever pared back dose you choose.

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

A jump of 25mcg can be unpleasant for some, perhaps if you cut the pills in half and add 12.5mcg for a few weeks and see how that settles in, what were your latest result?

Different brands can also cause an issue which are you taking?

[Lalatoot]

Firstly check who manufactures the 25mcg tablet and its fillers. Many don't get on with Teva brand. It might be adding to the problem.

You could try increasing by 12.5mcg daily. I prefer to cut a tablet in half and take the same dose every day but others take 100mcg one day and 125mcg the next day.

You could try splitting your levo dose taking it twice a day. I take my levo first thing and bedtime though I did take a dose mid afternoon for a while. This can help as it lowers the spike in hormones as they enter your system.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have copies of recent test results

If not, get hold of them

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Is this how you do your tests

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

as others have said it could be different brand levothyroxine that’s an issue

Many people find different brands are not interchangeable

Which brand is 100mcg

Which brand 25mcg

If it’s not the brand…..try adding 25mcg as separate dose

So taking 100mcg waking and 25mcg at bedtime (or vice versa)

[HealthStarDust]

I’m sorry you’re going through this.

I think You have 3 choices:

1. Wait it out. It could settle.

2. Stop your dose of 125mcg for around 3 days and resume again at a lowered dose of perhaps 112.5mcg. This will halt any nasty effects immediately in most cases. As suggested by BNF on side effects suggestion on bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/levot... I can share this worked for me.

3. Change brand for your extra 25mcg and see if that helps, assuming with the extra 25mcg dose you have switched brands or are using 2 brands.

It seems your extra 25mcg is not agreeing with you. There is of course the 4th choice, if you felt well on 100mcg, go back to that and don’t change. And others suggest splitting dose throughout the day.

[ Edited by admin to fix link to BNF. ]

[helvella Administrator in reply to HealthStarDust]

Have just fixed the link - it looks as if you copied another post/reply.

If you are copying your OWN previous posts/replies, then go to it as if to edit the post/reply. Select the text which will include the full links. Close without saving and paste into the new post/reply.

If it is a post/reply to which you do not have access, you more or less have to follow the link, then use the link of the page you end up on!

[HealthStarDust in reply to helvella]

Thank you. I was trying to edit, and somehow kept copying, clearing and delating. Odd.

[AlphaWolf5195]

Hi

I had the same problems when my dose was increased to 125 from 100 and my thyroid tests showed this amount was very slightly too high although 100 was too low. I suggested to the GP that I alternate doses between 125 and 100. She said to try it. I take 125 one day then 100 the next and so on. This seems to work the best for me.