Hello lovely people. I’ve been reading posts for a few weeks now, having discovered this amazing site. I was diagnosed a month ago and have been taking Levothyroxine 50mcg for 3 weeks.
I’ve put all my blood results on my bio and am thinking I probably should have put them on a post?
Anyway, basically, I’ve seen 3 different GP’s from my practice in 4 weeks and all three seem to do something different. The third wanted to re-test TSH, FT3 & FT4 after only 3 weeks medication.
All three are now deemed ‘normal’ and unsurprisingly, from what I’ve read on here, it was far too early to test as the levels won’t have had a chance to settle. I’ve got a repeat prescription for 50mcg and been asked to retest again in January.
Would be interested to hear thoughts? Thank you.
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Gardeningaddict
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But you are also horribly low in folate and B12!! Did they run a full iron panel too? Where is your ferritin result? You'll need to get your B12 levels up before adding folate
p.s. slow heart rate is likely due to lack of thyroid hormones, makes us all tick over slower and if you are low in iron likely you get palpitations?
No she didn’t mention K2 ? Magnessium. She didn’t even say what dose Vit D to take. Just said to take some! I already had a box of 1000iu, so started taking that straight away. She didn’t test Ferritin. I’m convinced the bradicardia is due to my thyroid and actually hoping it is because then it is usually reversible. I actually owe Fitbit and Apple Watch a massive thank you because otherwise, I’d be none the wiser!
No she didn’t mention K2 ? Magnessium. She didn’t even say what dose Vit D to take. Just said to take some! I already had a box of 1000iu, so started taking that straight away
Very unlikely high enough dose
vitamin D tablets should be at least 4 hours away from levothyroxine
Mouth spray can be only an hour away
GP should advise on self supplementing if vitamin D over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)
You can take B12 and folate at the same time as long as you Hv regular blood checks (once a month) to check B12 levels. This is because folate masks symptoms of B12 deficiency and without checking it’s possible to run into a B12 deficiency again. B12 deficiency can cause permanent neurological problems. There is no negative interaction between B12 and folate.
Also - for all of us - another great reason to keep both folate and B12 optimal is that they reduce the risk of dementia and cardiovascular disease. I can explain why but don’t want to bore you all with science unless youe interested.
Would you mind naming the B complex that are best recommended on this site please. I take folate, my B12 is top of the range but I’d like to start a B complex when my folate reaches optimal level. I know of Thorne B complex but I gather the tablets are big. Many thanks.
I’ve seen 3 different GP’s from my practice in 4 weeks and all three seem to do something different
We may be at the same practice. I happily used this inconsistency to take charge of my health with the practice, as much as one can anyway.
Welcome to the forum.
Testing, as you have found out varies according to who’s treating to you and their approach. And, how much you yourself push for changes if needed.
On the forum, the advise is to leave at least 6-8 weeks for a dose change. Some times longer up to 12 weeks. I’m sure one of the find admins will be along in a minute with their infamous copy and pastes.
Test after 6-8 weeks minimum on constant unchanging dose and brand of Levo
Which brand
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)
Helpful profile 👍
Vitamin levels
Vit D 55.9 (50-150)
Calcium2.38 (2.10-2.55)
Serum folate 3.5 (3.1- 20.5)
B12 209 (187-883)
How much vitamin D are you taking
Are you currently taking any other vitamin supplements
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and a week later add a separate vitamin B Complex
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
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
Haha, thanks, I actually am a gardening addict. Strangely, no matter how exhausted I feel, I always manage to summon the energy to get out in the garden and work! I was so surprised when my Vit D came back so low as I have just spent the summer almost exclusively outside. God knows how low it would be at the end of a long winter!
Thanks for all that info which a will digest at leisure. Having read many posts on here, I did the second and third lots of blood tests at 8.30-9, on empty stomach and this last one was before taking my Levo. The first TSH of 6.62 was early afternoon, not fasting, so I wasn’t in the least bit surprised the fasting one came back at 10.1.
First prescription was Wockhardt 25mcg x2
Second today is Mercury Pharma 25mcg x2
I presume you just get whatever the chemist has in stock but not ideal to change brands, I know from what I’ve read on here.
I’m taking 1000iu Vitamin D, just because that’s what I had in the cupboard 😂
Test after 6-8 weeks minimum on constant unchanging dose and brand of Levo
I just want to add sometimes they may wish to test sooner to make sure the dose is doing what it ought to and the person is not being overmedicated if especially if for example you are reporting a new symptom shortly after a dose change. However, my experience has taught me fluctuations in blood tests results are normal during the dose ‘settling period’.
Also, sometimes they test sooner before increasing dose especially if you have started on a lower dose.
Unfortunately, the only and only NICE Guidelines have not offered anything but vague advise on how to optimise dose but a lot of GPs do so as they always have done prior to the guidelines and start with small doses.
You’ve got great advice above, I’ll just add that GPs and pharmacists think it’s perfectly fine to give you whatever is in stock but experience suggests otherwise .
If you don’t already keep a symptom diary.
Oh to help with comparison, when I was first diagnosed my resting heart rate averaged at 46, it’s one of my key indicators of under or over replacement.
Testing in January is a good idea, take a shopping list of symptoms with you so you can force the GP to listen and trial next dose etc. normal isn’t normal unless you are cartwheeling and bouncing out of bed at 6am, sleeping like a baby, considering memory competitions etc. 🤗 don’t be fobbed off with ‘it’s not your thyroid’ it is. Etc etc. 🌱
I have my name on a waiting list for an allotment 😀
Glad to hear I’m not alone on the heart rate stakes. I’ve actually noticed a very slight improvement in my HR on walking, since starting Levo. That’s what brought my attention to the problem in the first place. I thought my Fitbit was broken as I couldn’t get it to go up to 110-130 on brisk walking anymore. I bought a new one, then had it replaced as it still didn’t work! Then bought an Apple Watch which was the same. I actually owe Fitbit an apology 😂 Just sticks in the mid 70’s for the same level of exercise. So annoying (and extremely tiring).
It’s so good having all this advice, so I can stand up for myself in future with the GP’s.
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