Levothyroxine increase

[suzybear]

Hi it's been a while since I posted on here. I previously posted I have high tpo antibody's. My tsh levels etc previously been a bit up and down. From July this year

Tsh 2.6 mu/l. ( 0.55-4.78)

Free T4 16.5 pmol/l. ( 11.5 - 22.7)

Free T3 5.1. pmol/L ( 3.5 - 6.5)

September this year

Tsh 2.72 pmol/L ( 0.55-4.78)

T4. 15.3 pmol/L. (11.5 - 22.7)

Free T3 5.1 pmol/L. ( 3.5-6.5)

I've been trying to get my GP to raise my meds for a while now the last few times I've had bloods done and advised on here to have an increase. Gp now agreed and said to raise the dose from 75 to 100 micrograms. I've been taking the 100 mg for around 3 days but yesterday feeling very tired and not able to function properly to go about my day. I can't remember if this is normal to feel like this with an increase ? Just worried I've increased to much too soon if I should do it more gradual ?

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Many members are fine with an increase of 25mcg, but some (like me) need to proceed more slowly. I now only increase by 12.5mcg and find a pill cutter useful for this. Once 12.5mcg increase is well tolerated, I increase to 25mcg.

Is the 100mcg prescribed the same brand as the 75mcg?

[suzybear in reply to Buddy195]

Hi thanks for your reply. Can I just ask do agree a 25mg is ok going by my results ? I think that's what I will do is cut the tablet in half which is what I've been doing anyway for my 75mg dose. I take accord levothyroxine. It only comes as 50mg so I cut the one in half for 75mg dose.

I wanted to add that sometimes I fluctuate. A few times my tsh as been 1. Something and then another time it goes over 2.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to suzybear]

Whatever you decide to increase by (ie 25mcg or 12.5mcg) you need to retest levels 6-8 weeks later.

[suzybear in reply to Buddy195]

Ok thank you. I think I'll do it gradual to 12.5 mcg.

[Catseyes235]

3 days not long enough to judge …need 6 weeks at least before settles down and to see how you feel. If there is one word to describe dealing with this disease it’s ’Patience’!

[suzybear in reply to Catseyes235]

Hi I'm not saying about 3 days to judge I'm saying how it's making me feel that I can't go about my day it's making me feel very tired and I got to go to work and feel like I can't function very well. Just saying and asking if it be better to up the dose more gradual

[Jazzw in reply to suzybear]

It’s definitely common for an increase in dose to make you feel slightly worse before it makes you feel better.

So it may help to increase more slowly. Definitely worth a go.

[suzybear in reply to Jazzw]

Ok thank you. I'm sure I didn't feel to good the last time I had a dose increase. Im starting to feel a bit better now.

[Hidden in reply to suzybear]

Hi I’m just wondering how you are now? The same thing has happened to me, I’ve gone from 75 to 100 and feel worse !! Xx

[suzybear in reply to Hidden]

Hi sorry for the late response. I'm doing a lot better now. It lasted for over 2 weeks then the fatigue lifted a bit after that . How you doing ?

[imogen2010]

your symptoms indicate your thyroid’s still low. You have to give it time unfortunately mine is up & down all the time.

[suzybear in reply to imogen2010]

You mean the side effects with an increase indicates my thyroid still low ?

[imogen2010]

it takes a while for the increase to make a difference to your thyroid so yes it’s probably still low at the moment.

[suzybear in reply to imogen2010]

Ok thanks I just feel so tired at the moment since the increase. Hopefully feel better soon

[imogen2010]

☝️🩷