Thyroid testing while taking HRT

[PugMama78]

Hello

I’m due to get blood testing done next week in order to review how I’m doing on my current dose of levothyroxine and to see if an increase is necessary. I take my levo first thing in the morning so will be sure to do my blood test prior to taking it on that day, but I also take HRT and was wondering how this could affect results? I’m on a very low dose of levothyroxine (25) and really feel I need an increase and want to make sure I’m getting an accurate result. My endocrinologist is going to increase to 50 as long as my TSH is still over 2. Typically before starting levo it was around 4 or 5 and I felt horrible with urticaria keeping me very sleep deprived for over 6 months. I take progesterone pill daily as I don’t really bleed anymore, and I use 2 pumps of Oestrogel. Typically I take my HRT in the evening. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thank you so much!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Don’t know the answer to HRT question

Probably best to delay until after test

Just testing TSH is totally inadequate

Retest vitamin levels at least annually

Previous post shows B12 still too low so you still need separate B12 as well as vitamin B complex until B12 over 500

Are you now on strict gluten free diet and dairy free diet

Levothyroxine doesn’t “top up” failing thyroid, it replaces it

So 25mcg is just going to reduce your own thyroid output, lower TSH and not provide enough replacement

[PugMama78 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you 😊

Yes, I agree 25 is way too low and I’m concerned… but even on 25 levo my urticaria has pretty much disappeared and have been feeling like I have a lot more energy? I have been supplementing with vit b complex and a separate b12 too… maybe this has had some positive impact also. I’m planning to pause the b complex for a week before my test through as I think it contains biotin? I barely eat any gluten now, the odd time maybe, and have decreased my dairy also. I plan to do a private test later this year to check where my vitamin levels are at. I also want to test my thyroid globulin at the same time to confirm my Hashimoto’s.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to PugMama78]

I’m planning to pause the b complex for a week before my test through as I think it contains biotin?

Yes correct

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 until Serum B12 over 500 or active B12 over 70

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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

Gluten free does need to be absolutely strictly gluten free

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Carry on as normal with your HRT routine and like you say take the test before levo and breakfast, so water only before

You will definitely need an increase as 25mcg is just going to make you feel worse!

[PugMama78 in reply to TiggerMe]

Thank you for this advice! That’s what I was thinking. Just so worried about messing up my levels enough to not get the increase to 50 levo that I know is the absolute minimum and probably what I need!

[Obsdian in reply to TiggerMe]

I take mine as usual too.