Levothyroxine increase short of breath

[Redforme]

My Endo has suggested an increase of 100mcg of Levo and 5mcg t3 due to my rapid increase in weight and severe constipation. I have been taking 75mcg and 5mcg t3 for 3 months.

Blood test result

TSH 1.47 (0.35-5.5)

Free Ft4 15.20 (11.9-21.6)

Free T3 4.88 (3.1-6.8)

Since increase I am short of breath, hot at night and my blood pressure is raised, pulse low.

How long does it take for things to settle or should I revert back to my old dose.

I’m really depressed with my weight gain, such a restricted diet, working out hard but nothing is working.

[pennyannie]

Hey there again :

I don't think either ' such a restricted diet ' or ' working out hard ' will be doing you any favours and in fact believe these 2 disciplines will negatively impact you ever finding your best dose of thyroid hormone replacement.

Once stabilised and with and on optimal thyroid hormone replacement regime for some months, light non punishing exercise might make sense for some,

but dieting slows and down regulates T4 to T3 conversion as the body needs good fats and nutrients to convert T4 into T3.

Do you have any readings / ranges for your ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D ?

The body needs time to restore, replenish and recover itself and living without a thyroid means a whole different thought process and working your body hard is not conducive to better thyroid health nor well being.

[Redforme in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you for getting back to me. I have always led a very active life, gym and Pilates and we walk a lot too. I’ve never been able to do things at a much lighter level, think this will depress me even more. My Endo says my vitamins etc are optimal

Ferritin 107 (30-400)

Vitamin B12 902 (180-999)

Lipase 58 (13-60)

Lactate 173 (0-250)

Only ones tested.

I’m also urinating so much more in the last 2 days, test negative for UTI. Up 4 times a night and can’t stop all day since increase.

I’m not dieting but eating very sensible nutritious diet, no snacking, no gluten, no alcohol. Lots of fish and vegetables

[Bertwills in reply to Redforme]

The increased urination could be connected to blood sugar levels. I use Berberine to keep mine level as much as possible. I ran out last week & was rushing to the loo very frequently. If you don’t eat carbs you might be eating lots of protein, maybe meat. I don’t understand the chemistry but meat & protein impact blood sugar too. Recent research points to increasing risks of diabetes from processed meat, red meat etc. When I tried keto my blood sugar levels test rose 5 points, low carb doesn’t work for everyone if you’re increasing protein consumption. I’d ease of on the restricted diet & see what happens. Try Berberine too. Time Health brand works for me

[Redforme in reply to Bertwills]

Hi, I only eat chicken and fish, I eat carbs with evening meal. I don’t eat processed meat, I know it can increase risk of diabetes. My last test showed I am pre diabetic, which really upset me but not diabetic so Endo doesn’t want treat it. I take 500mg of Berberine a day, only 1 month so far so may increase it to 2. I’m either boiling hot or freezing cold, thank you for your reply

[Bertwills in reply to Redforme]

Ferritin is quite low

[Redforme in reply to Bertwills]

How do I increase Ferritin?

[Bertwills in reply to Redforme]

I would start a new post as I have the opposite problem, mine is too high. Lots of people post about raising iron so I’m sure you’ll get some help.

[Redforme in reply to Bertwills]

Thank you, I will back track some posts to see if anyone mentions Ferritin

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Redforme]

If you search for ferritin, you will find thousands and thousands of posts!

Ferritin test alone is not sufficient to assess iron.

You really need an iron panel to see what is what.

helvella - Iron Panel

A short article about explaining what is meant by "iron panel" in relation to blood tests including some reference interval (range) information.

Last updated 18/07/2024

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

helvella - Iron Document

This is a summary of what I have read up and found out about iron supplements over the past few years. I am not in any way medically trained. You are strongly encouraged to check every detail before making any decisions for yourself.

Last updated 04/07/2024

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

[Redforme in reply to helvella]

Someone suggested I take iron supplements but I have terrible constipation and bloating, iron supplements can add to this

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Redforme]

It depends on what you take. I do not think that haem supplements cause these issues but I do not need to take iron, so have no personal experience.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Try splitting Levo dose as 50mcg waking and 50mcg at bedtime for a few weeks

Which brand were you taking for 75mcg

Which brand are you taking for 100mcg

Suggest you test vitamin D and folate at next test

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Increase in urinating is good sign…..excess mucin may be diminishing with increasing dose

You’re quite likely to be ready for increase in T3 after next test

5mcg is low dose

More common to be on 10mcg, or 15mcg or 20mcg per day - often as divided dose 2 or 3 or 4 doses per day

Some people are on 2.5mcg x 3 per day

[Redforme in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m taking 50mcg Accord and 25mcg Mercury Pharma, my pharmacist doesn’t have 75mcg. Every other day 100mcg Accord. I find it difficult cutting the Thybon, I use a pill cutter but sometimes they crumble.

I also take vitamin D and k2, B12, Magnesium and Berberine (after dinner). I have 1 no sugar Yakukt a day in the morning, caffeine free (only drink tea) and gluten free.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Redforme]

I find a sharp craft scalpel cuts cleaner than a pill cutter

Like these

camlab.co.uk/1211828-swann-...

[Redforme in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, I will order some

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Redforme]

Amazon do them too