Levothyroxine doseage

[359Jay]

hi there I would be grateful for any advice on recent test results

TSH 1.15 mIU/L

Free T3 5.5pmol/L

Free Thyroxine 18.1 pool/L

My GP has reduced my Levothroxine to 25mcgs but I am getting bad joint pains which I have never had before - I am considering requested that this be increased to 50mcgs again .

Is it worth getting Antibodies checked ?

Nora

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Please add referene range for each test - numbers in brackets after your result.

Did your GP reduce your Levo on the basis of these results?

How are you taking your blood test? Its important as TSH & FT4 can vary depending on time of day test taken & when last dose of Levo was taken before the test.

Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process).

Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

Have you tested and now supplementing key vitamin levels to optimal? Our thyroid hormone wont work well unless vitamin levels are good.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Please can you add lab ranges?

If in range there is no reason to reduce.

What is current dose? Was 50mcg reduced to 25mcg? How long on continuous dose before this most recent test?

Was test taken as recommend? Early morning draw, fasting, delaying replacement until after draw. Cease Biotin prior to test?

Have thyroid antibodies ever been tested ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

My GP has reduced my Levothroxine to 25mcgs

Was this after these results?

If so this was completely unnecessary reduction

Are you still taking Metavive?

If yes, does GP know this?

Was test done early morning and last dose Levo 24 hours before test

Vitamin levels 6 months ago

ferritin 28ug/L (15-300 )

Folate 3.6ug/L (>3.00

Vitamin B12 512ng/L (180.00-900 )

I know my vitamin D was low as given a loading dose of 3days of

50,000 iu

so ferritin was deficient

Did you get full iron panel test done for anemia

Are you taking iron supplements

Full iron panel retesting 3-4 times a year when on iron supplements

Folate was inadequate

Ard you now taking daily vitamin B complex

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)

Vitamin D needs retesting too obviously

Essential to retest vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

[SlowDragon Administrator]

previous post 6 months ago where it was advised that you stop Metavive

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Presumably TPO antibodies are over range confirming autoimmune thyroid disease