T4 conversion and B12 complex

[CookieRzasa]

Hello, hope you are all well. I am currently taking Levothyroxine 50mg daily and have been since May, feeling slightly better in some ways so some positives. I have been reading about the thyroid only supporting 20% of T4 to T3 and the complex B12 can support this in addition. Does anyone have any experience of this or knowledge? Thank you in advance

[SlowDragon Administrator]

50mcg Levo is only the standard STARTER dose

You likely very ready for next increase in Levo by now up to 75mcg

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease and when left on inadequate dose Levo far too long

Request thyroid and vitamin levels are tested

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)

[AKatieD]

Dr Skinner used to say that thyroid sufferers are often b12 deficient too (another automimmune condition causes low b12) and so it is good to take care of both.

As SlowDragon says you may need more levo.

With regard to b12, not everyone can absorb via stomach so some us have to self inject to keep b12 levels up. Beware that if you are taking a supplement, your b12 levels can look artificially high on testing (whether you can absorb via stomach or not). B12 society say you need to be off supplements for 4 months to get accurate test results. You may need to decide whether it is worth being off b12 that long for proper test results, or if you know it helps, not worry about the testing.

[Star1182]

Hi, It looks your dose 50 mcg is too low and You obviously need higher dosage - 100 mcg. Talk to your doctor. And one thing - I take 2 x 50 mcg in the morning, or 1 in the morning, 1 in lunchtime, but not 1 x 100 mcg tablet. It does not work for me, feels like too high dose.

[Dalias]

Hello I was on 75mcg levothyroxine but on 50mcg when i started. Never felt great with it and worse when i entered memopause. Just stared Armour Thyroid but I had to pay for it to start with. All my other vitamins and iron levels where good ... never felt the same when diagnosed with hypothyroidism. ... I think we all respond to medication differently.