1st blood tests since Levothyroxine

[Polarbear54321]

Advice please. I started Levo about 6 weeks ago prescribed 25micrograms. On advice here I’ve been taking 50 instead. My last bloods are below and my tsh is now slightly higher than it was as previous test. A dr commented that I am on the correct medication (at 25 micrograms) but I thought I was meant to be aiming for tsh of 1? Can someone please give advice so I can be informed when trying to make an appointment to discuss with Dr. Should I be on a higher dose?

Recent results

Serum TSH level:

5.67 mIU/L

Normal range:

0.27 to 4.20

Serum free T4 level:

16 pmol/L

Normal range:

11 to 22

Laboratory comment:

Please note slightly amended reference range (21/9/21).

02/10/2023

5.61 mu/L

TSH levels high (normal range 0.27 - 4.2 mU/L)

THYROXINE

02/10/2023

15.1 pmol/L

FT4 levels normal (normal range 12 - 22 pmol/L)

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Dr is an idiot and you need another increase, when you discuss it perhaps drop in that you are being advised by Thyroid UK, hopefully they will pull their socks up and read the NICE guidance 🤗

Request an increase and a blood test in 8 weeks, sometimes you have to educate and guide them 🙄

[Polarbear54321 in reply to TiggerMe]

Thanks would you request to 75 or 100? They are really bad tbh hence why I am so grateful for this forum and the advice here

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Polarbear54321]

Hmm... if they are really clueless you could ask for 100 and then be in control of your dosing... (they shouldn't really up it more than 25mcg) never good to increase more than 25mcg every 8 weeks and as you get nearer to finding your sweet spot 12.5mcg or smaller is good for sneaking up on it.

Looks like you might need to take charge... which is no bad thing

Have you told them your results are based on 50mcg?

[Polarbear54321 in reply to TiggerMe]

No haven’t actually spoken to a dr just comments on my NHS record will fess up when I get hold of someone to talk to.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Polarbear54321]

I rather like using the messaging service to deal with them... you might find a well written factual message will trigger a new prescription, it gives them time to look it up without having to look you in the eye when they often bluster nonsense 😏

Your bloods show you need the increase, sometimes less interaction is more productive 🤭

[Sleepman]

+1 for everything Eeyore said

they just need to increase you. I hope you are feeling a bit better.

I am quite new to this too and I am well now.

It is so slow to get to the correct dose and deal with doctors while feeling pooh/brain fogged and desperate to be well again.

I logged my symptoms (because I forgot if I didn't) but I shared them with doctor and showed I was looking out for having too much. If you are wellish with no heart issues then they should probably move you up on dose.

NICE guidelines, I think say it is not just TSH or T4 readings in blood it is symptoms that need to be resolved

Good you are not reporting any issues with the type of tablet you are on.

The thyroid can release hormone as it is dying off so this could swing you higher.

Vit D vit B12 and follate levels. Test then supplement as per wise peeps on here.

Gluten and other food intolerance may come with this autoimmune thing as well.

[Juliet_22]

Yes, your TSH is still too high. The ideal level of TSH on medication is around 1-1.5. Your GP might not cooperate with you on this though. It's not that easy, especially when you go within the upper "normal" range, which isn't normal at all.

You'll have to stand your case by showing your doc research papers OR go via a private route where doctors actually understand what ideal ranges are.

My TSH on the last test was 2.7, just to show you, so very "normal" according to docs, yet I know it's too high for me and I felt so hypo. I increased the dose by self by 12.5 mcg (going up from 88 mcg to 100 mcg) by myself, been on this journey for long enough to know where I need to be to feel well.

Your TSH is still way too high and you're probably still feeling hypo.

[Batty1]

This is a problem when you increase your own medication without the doctors permission/knowlede because now your going to be dealing with a shortage of medication… I agree with others you need more meds but you shouldn’t increase it unless your able to continue paying out of pocket for the medication or come clean with your doctor that you have been taking 50mcg not the prescribed 25mcg.

I did read your entire post from 2 months ago and I don’t see where anyone told you to up your medication unless they privately messaged you….. Anyway this is just my opinion about the medication it’s a slippery slope to be on at the beginning of this horror ride we call thyroid.