I am on 50mcg of levothyroxine. Started 25 for 2 months, then increase to 50 for the past month.
I have also been supplementing as directed by advice on here, including addressing my iron deficiency. I haven't retested other minerals & vitamins yet as need to take the iron for a further month before GP will re test. I am also on day 32 of the AIP diet.
Overall, i feel pretty amazing. I have never had this much energy in my entire life. I wake up and I'm up, I don't need to nap, I'm able to exercise, I've lost 7lbs since AIP, my eczema has reduced massively, my hair isn't falling out, i just feel really really great. My irregular cycles became 37-39 day cycles (previously up to 60), though this one has been 48 days (i think AIP changes). My fertility doctor confirmed i did ovulate this month though, which is the best position I've been in for 5 year since i am TTC.
My question is - 50mcg is a pretty low dose of Levothyroxine and according to my weight, i should need about double this. My GP only agreed to prescribe it to get my TSH below 2.5 due to TTC, now we are there i can't imagine he will want to up my dosage. However, i know my t4 could definitely still be better. it is the highest it's been for 5 years though.
Should i be asking for the dose to increase, even though i feel so good and my TSH has come down so much? I don't want to be on a higher dose than necessary, but don't understand why such a low dose would be working so well considering it doesn't top up t4, it replaces it?
Also - just a huge thank you to everyone that replied to my posts. Your help is the only reason I'm in this position.
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katyy94x
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No it was 4 weeks as this is what the endocrinologist told my GP to do.. sigh.
I am planning on doing a private test in August as I can't afford it until then, but will be checking all thyroid markers and B12, folate & vitamin D (if GP won't check when they test iron panel again). My previous fT3 have always been in range, it's TSH & t4 that have been out or inadequate usually.
T4 ref range is 7.86 - 14.41 pmol/L, so well within the range but if you look at British thyroid foundation it's on the lower end of their recommendation.
TTC - trying to conceive.
I'll speak to my GP and ask if we can re-test thyroid when we re-test iron panel next month, thanks for your reply!
So your FT4 is only 60% of range and needs to be in the upper part of the range, even at the top sometimes.
Likely in a few weeks time if you retest your TSH will have risen again as it was too soon to retest at 4 weeks. No idea why an Endo might think that a good idea but possibly due to TTC.
'Within range' results are pretty useless, we need OPTIMAL everything to feel well, including all vitamin levels. Your FT4 & FT3 need to be 70%+ so likely you would benefit from a dose increase.
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 did your test
Which brand of levothyroxine are you taking
retest 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in Levo
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Getting an increase in Levo
Waiting for levo increase
No Levo Increase - try HRT
Levo making T4 increase - confused
Levo increase
