Over a week ago I wrote mentioning at 25m was not getting any benefit from Levo. I didn’t have my blood results to hand as was away on holiday.
They are as follows
3.0mlU/L (0.27-4.2)
Talking to likeminded friends/relations all are saying should get in touch with Doctor, have been on this dose since started in August last year to ask if dose can be increased.
Make an appointment with GP and request 25mcg dose increase to 50mcg
Because of your age your GP started you on 25mcg …..but your TSH is now showing you are ready for next increase in dose
Bloods should be retested 2-3 months time
Meanwhile request GP test B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D
Thank you SlowDragon I will do that straightaway.
well that telephone call didn’t go well, surgery looked at my reading and said I didn’t need to increase from 25m. I’m lucky enough to be able to go private, is this the next step?
Yes …..But BEFORE booking any consultation you need to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...
Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test
support.medichecks.com/hc/e...
Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee
come back with new post once you get results
They may be so blatantly clear that your GP will have to agree to dose increase in levothyroxine
If GP remains obtuse
Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3
Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations
thyroiduk.org/contact-us/ge...
Will get blood tests done first and let you know what transpires, thank you for your help, dissolved into tears of frustration once again, I know there is something not right.
Although of course you would be asking your GP for a dose increase, the bottom line is that you expect it to be raised. That is the attitude you need to go into the appointment with, in a nice way of course.
Should the first doctor turn you down then keep going back, see a different doctor and keep trying.
Do make sure you get bloods taken as early as possible. This is because TSH changes during the day. If you are tested too late they might even think that you don't need to be treated at all.
Most docs and nurses don't know about this, so insist that you want an early appointment.
Confused with TSH result rising
TSH Result
Tsh result
Jump in Serum TSH
