Hypo symptoms ?

[Andypandy30]

Hi I have been quite happy on levothyroxine 100 mcg for many years but doctors did a test and switched me to 75 .is internal shaking and nervousness a hypo symptom.where is best to do a private blood test as I'm unable to attend doctors at this time .how often should I test after an increase .should I test now and in a few weeks again .how long after an increase do symptoms settle

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

What you describe can be hypo symptoms.

What time of day did you have your blood test and did you allow 24hrs between last dose of Levo & blood test?

Before you agreed to the dose reducton did you see a copy of your blood results and agree you were over replaced?

Do you have a copy of your latest blood results that you can share with us? You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.

Sometimes symptoms can be caused by too little Levo, not converting T4 to T3 well or low vitamin levels which mean we cannot use our thyroid hormone well.

I see you are having B12 injections but how often are the injections?

What supplements do you take?

Testing is usually 6-8 weeks after a dose change, the longer the better to allow more time for the dose to settle. If you changed dose again then once more it would be another 6-8 weeks wait to test to get an accurate result.

It can vary how long it takes symptoms to settle but a few months would probably be average.

Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process).

Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

[Andypandy30 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you for the reply and all the info .having a bit of anxiety today so is that a hypo symptom of due to the levothyroxine increase

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Andypandy30]

Yes anxiety can be due to low thyroid hormone levels, especially low FT3.

Are you also taking vit D +K2 to help it go to your bones?

With B12 injections its usually recommended to take a good methyl B complex to help keep all the B's in balance.

B complex suggestions: Slightly cheaper options with inactive B6:

amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...

Contains B6 as P5P an active form:

bigvits.co.uk/thorne-resear...

healf.com/products/basic-b-...

Explanation about the different forms of B6:

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

B complex comparison spreadsheet:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

For a thyroid blood test always test at 9am or earlier for highest TSH.

Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process).

Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

See link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

There is also a new company offering walk in& mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

Most popular testing companies are Monitor My Health, Medichecks & Blue Horizon.

Not on the list is Randox who are cheap.

[Andypandy30 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you so much .I was feeling anxious before the increase so assumed it was seeing undertreated .so the levothyroxine 100 mcg should not make my anxiety worse .iv got myself worked up

[Andypandy30 in reply to Jaydee1507]

I have been on 100 mcg since Friday so.should I continue the higher dose

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Andypandy30]

I doubt that more Levo would cause anxiety, especially if you've been on that dose a long time.

What were the blood results your GP reduced you on?

[Andypandy30 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Still waiting on a copy of those ..and yes I was always on Levo 100 and then he reduced me .I have had hair loss and other things .the anxiety is just in the past few weeks .I know it's not b12 so worked out it was this and doctor said to go back on 100 again just feeling anxiety today again and was hoping it would have improve d.but only on increase 2 days .doctor said to continue with Levo 100 and this symptom.should improve .im.just worked up about taking the 100 now as im.still anxious

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Andypandy30]

Depending on what size tablet you have you could do it gently by halving a 25mcg tablet and adding that t o your 75mcg for a few weeks before taking the plunge back to 100mcg.

You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.

[Andypandy30 in reply to Jaydee1507]

I have only got 100 mcg at the moment

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Andypandy30]

You could quarter a tablet and take 75/100 alternating. Buy a cheap pill cutter from local chemist.

[Andypandy30 in reply to Jaydee1507]

I took the 100 if I can persevere with it I think the alternate days is what confused me .I was in 100 mcg for years

[Andypandy30 in reply to Jaydee1507]

I am on weekly b12 and doing well on that and other vitamins