Results advice in dealing with GP

[Libuse]

I have just received my latest blood test results along with request to make appt for telephone conversation with surgery. I had increased Levo from 75mcg to 87.5 mcg myself on 2nd November through private supply because I felt unwell. I now know doctor (It’s always someone different) is going to want to decrease to 50mcg. I feel tired at the the thought of pleading to stay at 75mcg…. Please see below for history of last four results

T4

24 May 23 - 14.9 (range 10.5-24.5)

25 Aug 23 - 16.9

2 Nov 23 - 16.1

30 Jan 24 17.7

TSH

24 May23 - 3.61 (range 0.27-3.2)

25 August - 0.68

2 Nov - 2.13

30 Jan - 0.23

It seems to me from results and from all that I have learned from this wonderful site that I should now reduce medication to 87.5 eod and 75 eod. But do I admit to doctor that I have increased dose? Has anyone else had similar experience? I read posts daily and know I can refuse reduction but should I say I increased dosage a bit? Any advice welcomed, please. All guidelines followed when taking all tests. Thanks for reading. ❤️

[TiggerMe]

I think you need to fess up maybe better to say you made a mistake with dosing (being hypo makes you a bit fuzzy)🤥 🙃 or you might open a real can of worms if they think you are buying your own supply.... but even with the extra your fT4 is only just over 50% through range, is there any chance you can push them to test your fT3... get them to concentrate on you low fT4, also have they checked your folate, ferritin, B12 and Vit D levels recently?

Most people find fT4 needs to be around 80%

Looking back 8 months your folate was deficient Folate 19 (38-9999) have you been supplementing? Someone said the other day that B12 injections can really take a toll on folate levels

[SlowDragon Administrator]

just testing TSH and Ft4 is completely inadequate

Was test done early morning, ideally before 9am and only drinking water between waking and test and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Ft4 is no where near top of range

Get FULL Thyroid including thyroid antibodies, FT3 and Ft4 and vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested

[Libuse in reply to SlowDragon]

I followed guidelines as recommended. I will hold out for same dose until I have results of private thyroid test which I will carry out next . Many thanks

[serenfach]

Remember the GP is there to advise, not dictate.

Tell them you realise you have made a mistake in taking your pills but feel so much better you would like to carry on with the upped dose. The GP will then start about low TSH and heart and bone damage, to which you reply that the research has shown this not to be true and would he like a copy of the paper?

This shows the GP that you are not stupid and can take control of your own health with his support. Good luck!!