6ft 2in & 25mcg levo

[tuchwood]

Hi allJust a bit of a rant. My sister told me a while ago that my nephew had been diagnosed with a thyroid problem. Spoke to him today. He is a big guy. He is on 25mcg levo as 'his levels are only a little low and he just needs a top-up' according to his gp. They have however put him on statins as his cholesterol is a bit high.

Grrr. No wonder he feels a bit tired.

This is the same practice that said just give her gaviscon when his 9yr old daughter had severe abdominal pains. She finished up in a&e later that week. She has now been diagnosed with lactose intolerance.

What do they teach them in medical school.

[Jazzw]

What do they teach them in medical school.

On the thyroid? Not a lot. They tell them it’s easy to treat with a little white pill to keep the TSH in range.

Except it doesn’t sound like this GP is even testing to see what the TSH is.

High cholesterol is actually a symptom of hypothyroidism. Treat the hypo and it’ll lower…

I think he needs to go back to the practice and ask to see a different doctor!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Get him to print out clear guidelines on dose levothyroxine

Or change GP!?

He needs FULL thyroid and vitamin testing 6-8 weeks after EACH 25mcg dose increase

Even if we frequently start on only 50mcg, most people need to increase levothyroxine dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps (retesting 6-8 weeks after each increase) until eventually on, or somewhere near full replacement dose (typically 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo of your weight per day)

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/hypo...

bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/levot...

Some people need a bit less than guidelines, some a bit more

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)

[Whiterose15]

That's a very good question. I haven't a clue.