Overmedication question

[Astrido]

Hi all,

I have been feeling really weird over the past couple of weeks and I wonder if I'm overmedicated.

I take 100mcg levo daily following hemithyroidectomy in Dec. I had been feeling much better since starting the tablets in March. But over the past few weeks I've had hot sweats, very easy to lose temper (very out of character for me), fast heart rate, feeling kind of spaced out and paranoid, reduced appetite.

I know your first question will be, what are your bloods? But the NHS won't test what I need and I can't get an appt with medichecks until 30th july. Given my recent angry outbursts at work, I am not sure I should risk carrying on being overmedicated, as it's several weeks away and I might be fired by then.

It could be menopause too of course but this is the usual problem of symptom crossover.

I have only ever taken 100mcg accord. I also have a supply of mercury pharma 25mcg but have never taken these as I was scared of changing or mixing up brands.

So I think I have the following options:

(a) ride it out and try to control temper better till I have blood test

(b) reduce to 75mcg by using tablet splitter and mixing brands

(c) reduce to 50mcg by using tablet splitter and not mixing brands

(d) phone GP and see if I can appeal to them to prescribe 50mcg tablets (i do not have a sympathetic dr so I expect won't work)

I did accidentally take a double dose of 200mcg for a few days about a month ago - could that be causing the problems, and if so, will it level out again soon? In which case, that is option (a).

Are there other things I could do? e.g. if I exercised more would that help to level out the thyroxine?

I am 5'6 and weigh 80kg so I am surprised that 100mcg would be too much.

I do take vitamins in line with all the advice from this board. (vit d, vit b, iron)

Really appreciate your help, I am very worried about losing my job (or my mind).

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I would try to stay on the same dose if you are able, until you have taken a blood test. However, if your adverse symptoms persist I would use a pill cutter and reduce your dose by 1/4 to see if this helps. Sometimes thyroid levels can fluctuate…. I’ve had periods of needing a slight reduction, although once stabilised, required a slight increase again.

It may be useful to have a look at Dr Louise Newson’s free Balance App, as I find it really useful for investigating menopause symptoms & having up to date research articles. There is also an ability to post questions.

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

[Astrido in reply to Buddy195]

thank you buddy195, I will install the Balance App, so many people have recommended it, it must be good.

[Astrido]

I have dug out my latest blood tests from 23rd May 24.

The thyroid numbers from that time will not track well to where they are today because this was around the time I was taking the double dose by accident.

I have been taking extra vit d as this was flagged as too low in the results below.

Iron 18.7 (10-30)

Ferritin 75.5 (30-207)

Folate 42 (<7)

B12 101 (37.5 - 188)

Vit d 56.4 (50-250)

Tsh 0.141 (0.27 - 4.2)

Free T3 5.4 (3.1 - 6.8)

Free thyroxine 22.1 (12 - 22)

Thyroglobulin 12.9 (0-115)

Thyroid peroxidase <9 (0-34)

I have been on 100mcg consistently since 11th June (so for a month).

[jimh111]

Try skipping your levothyroxine for a few days and see if you feel better. If you do then reduce your dose, if not resume your current dise and wait for the blood test. Making a quick change will enable you to see if it makes a difference. I would inform your boss that it will take a little time to get you on the correct dose and it can affect your temperament in the meantime.

[Astrido in reply to jimh111]

thank you jimh111

you are right, I should "fess up" to my work, I have been trying to hide things that are going on with my health but they keep asking me if everything is ok at home so clearly i'm not hiding it very well 🙈

[jimh111 in reply to Astrido]

I would tell them. Under the Equality Act 2010 they have to make allowances so it gives you some protection although strictly speaking it has to be a long term condition which generally means a health problem that lasts over a year. More importantly it gives them the chance to understand what is happening and help you cope.

[Hidden]

Just to say, when I was on 100mcg of levothyroxine I was having g hot sweats and was moody and argumentative, just fly off the handle for anything. I was in my early 40s at the time, not peri menopausal. I learnt I was hypo on that dose and my Adrenaline would kick in to top me up to function. It was stressful. I actually collapsed on my bedroom floor because I was burnt out from my body trying to keep me going with Adrenaline. I was given more thyroxine in 25mcgs pills and ended up on 150mcg. over a few months. I felt gradually better along the way. I'm 59 now and 10 years ago after trying Nature throid which was good stable to be on but became unavailable and I ended up on liothyronine only. I take 62.50mcg split throughout the day. Its easier to adjust if need be and its probably as good as its going to be for me.

I'm on hrt, since age 50, when I started peri menopause. I take lenzetto estrogen spray on fore arm, 2 sprays and Utrogestan progesterone, taken vaginally. It works very well and dissolved my uterine fibroid, its body identical and on nhs prescription. Its helped my weight keep stable and my skin and hair looks healthy and I sleep better and I am more patient and calmer person.

I used to use the estrogen Sandrena gel , it was great except it would make me have a bleed so I changed to lenzetto which for me is perfect.

I feel like for me and including my 2 monthly B12 injections for pernicious anaemia everything really helps me stay well and all works together as I age especially.

I'm completely off sugar and carbs from grains or flour. No alcohol no smoking.

I'll never give up my body identical hrt, just like I wouldn't give up my thyroid hormone. Or B12.

Do what's best for you.

Like you I thought I was overmedicated but for me I was undermedicated, it's so tricky to understand how we feel and what's going on. Very difficult at times.

As I'm sure you know, take all the correct vitamins and minerals your body needs to help utilise your thyroid hormone,

All the best Take care

[Astrido in reply to Hidden]

thank you elizajoe102, that is a lot of useful information. Sounds like you did a lot of work to find out what suited you, a long road no doubt. I had read there is overlap between over- and under-medicated symptoms so this is an interesting theory.

[Hidden in reply to Astrido]

My gp said to me at the time when I was explaining how I felt that he'd rather keep me under medicated than over.

I can't trust them anymore.

[Joesmum in reply to Hidden]

This is such a useful post. Thank you

[HealthStarDust]

Whatever you decide, be sure to let the person who oversees your thyroid health know so that they can interpret your next blood test results accordingly.

[Jodypody]

can’t help but think this is menopause. If you were over medicated you would be hungry all the time (general rule of thumb, more energy floating around). Angry for no reason (tick) hot flushes and palps (tick) if the heat sensation comes from mainly the top half of your torso and spreads outwards it’s a hot flashing

[Noelnoel]

But the NHS won't test what I need and I can't get an appt with medichecks until 30th july

Is the test you need not a finger prick

I did accidentally take a double dose of 200mcg for a few days about a month ago

I read on here earlier this week that the effects of doing something like this can take a while to show up and since you accidentally took as much as 300mcg in a short space of time (possibly a bit more?) could it simply be that the feeling of being overmedicated will gradually wear off. Wish I could remember which forum member said this because it was informative

For May test you’d been on 100mcg for a month only and yet FT4 was very high, in fact just over and FT3 around 62% through, so it’s a distinct possibility your levels are even higher now because it can take at least six weeks for levels to settle. You’ve also been addressing nutrient levels, so perhaps this is starting to pay off and consequently your conversion ability is improving. Just a thought

[CansadaTambien]

In UK google blood tests you can get them done privately and quick results. Not like NHS.

[Hidden]

Bonjour, si vous ne prenez que de la T4 et que votre foie ne le convertit pas en T3, vous allez avoir un empoisonnement a la T4 qui s'accumule dans le corps