I’ve been monitoring my levels this year and after private tests showed both my antibodies were sky high I’ve gone back to the doctors and they’ve eventually tested for tpo antibodies which again were really high. TSH and free thyroxine are still within normal range apparently but I’ve been feeling awful. My neck is enlarged too with benign fibroids which was scanned last year due to the swelling.
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are 160. GP has agreed to try the lowest dose of levothyroxine for 3 months to see what happens. Has anyone else started treatment before in this situation and if so did it help? Thanks in advance
Written by
Historically_valid
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Thanks for the reply and advice. Free thyroxine is 14 and TSH is 1.41 they didn’t test T3 through GP just the one lot of antibodies. I’ve been taking vitamin D and iron supplements since the previous private test but not any B vitamins.
Not sure what dose GP has prescribed as it’s not ready to pick up yet only spoke to them today. She said it was the lowest and would need bloods done at 8 weeks to check levels and go from there. Was just wondering how people were affected when given at these levels with the high antibodies and swollen thyroid. Thanks for your help
It might be 25mcg …..this can make you feel more hypothyroid as it’s such a low dose…..but stick with it and get increase in dose to 50mcg after next test
Unless you are lactose intolerant, ideally avoid Teva brand initially
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.
Most easily available (and often most easily tolerated) are Mercury Pharma or Accord
Mercury Pharma make 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg tablets
Mercury Pharma also boxed as Eltroxin. Both often listed by company name on pharmacy database - Advanz
Accord only make 50mcg and 100mcg tablets. Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots,
Wockhardt is very well tolerated, but only available in 25mcg tablets. Some people remain on Wockhardt, taking their daily dose as a number of tablets
Lactose free brands - currently Teva or Vencamil only
Teva makes 25mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg and 100mcg
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine.
Teva is lactose free.But Teva contains mannitol as a filler instead of lactose, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Mannitol seems to upset many people, it changes gut biome
Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet.
So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half
But for some people (usually if lactose intolerant, Teva is by far the best option)
Vencamil (currently 100mcg only) is lactose free and mannitol free. 25mcg and 50mcg tablets hopefully available from summer 2024
If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient.
Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
High TPO antibodies.
High Antibodies
Very high antibodies 
High antibodies for years but on no treatment
High thyroid antibodies
