update

[Applebud]

As was suggested would happen on a previous post has happened; started on 25mg and my TSH has dropped.

Just had the results:

recent TSH 1.48 ( previous 2.18)

recent T4 14.6 ( previous 13.1)

recent T3 3.8 ( previous 4)

Interestingly my [high] cholesterol has gone down by around 15% , I had argued that I believed it was thyroid which was pushing it up.

This is still such a battle and I have not had any follow up advice; it's a long story and I've just got off the phone to try and get this result after already waiting quite a long time to get it. I think I'm going to take matters even more into my own hands, increase to 50mg and go for my requested repeat blood test ( for CHOLESTEROL - they are somewhat blinkered) in 2 weeks. See what that shows and then discuss!!!

Any thoughts or input always welcomed.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

25mcg is only half the standard STARTER dose of Levo ….unless you are over 65 years old

Then starting on 25mcg…..but still increasing dose at next test

Typically when adequately treated on ONLY levothyroxine Ft4 will be at least 50-60% through range or higher

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)

Likely to need several further increases in Levo over coming months

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older

For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Also VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together

What is reason for your hypothyroidism

Autoimmune?

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

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)

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)