I hope that the above is clear. So I have been reduced on my levo, for my body weight and going by the guides, I should be on 100mcg a day but wasn't feeling good on it and levels were low (TSH). After changes, I have noticed that I get little palpations (very infrequent but wanted to mention), bowel movements have been better (sorry) but i'm still not sure if mixing dose is ok, so am on 100mcg 5 days and 75mcg for the others.
I have been given a different brand for the 25mcg tablets to the 50mcg ones I have (not sure if that makes much difference).
I seem to have both hypo and hyper symptoms and not sure whether I ask for dose change again? I do feel 100mcg a day made me feel worse.
Any advice based on my results?
Thank you for reading
Written by
Melody79
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
What has / is being done about your very low ferritin level - have you had an iron panel and or an endoscopy / colonoscopy -
At present with a reading under 30 - this needs investigating because as it stands you look to have iron deficiency anemia and which can cause these symptoms of palpitation and hyper / hypo symptoms.
Everywhere I researched suggested that no thyroid hormone replacement works well until ferritin is over 70 - and I can confirm that having had a ferritin down at 22 -
I now know I need to maintain my ferritin at around 100 in order to convert well the T4 into T3 -
and I also aim to maintain my folate at around 20 - active B12 125 ( serum B12 500 ++ ) and vitamin D up at around 125.
Just for reference :-
We generally feel best when the T4 is up in the top quadrant of its range at around 80% - with the T3 tracking just behind at around 70% through its range - at around a 1/ 4 ratio T3/T4 :
Once your core strength vitamins and minerals are up and maintained at optimal levels your ability to convert the T4 into T3 will improve -
and it will be then and only then that we will be able to ascertain your ability to convert T4 into T3 well enough - and consider and possibly suggest that your then next best step may be to add a little T3 to a possible slightly lower dose of T4 - Levothyroxine.
Thank you for replying, no i've never had or been asked to have endoscopy/colonoscopy? I take ferrous sulphate 5 times a day now but don't feel this is doing anything. I won't eat liver and I don't eat a lot of red meat.
Take suppliments for B vitamins and vit d with K2. I felt that the T4 and T3 levels were ok but thought the TSH was a little low. UK based so won't get T3 on NHS or private and Dr already said no need for it so hard for me to then get it.
There are other options for increasing iron intake:
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.
Thank you, i'll have a read though this. I should have noted that I did get some heme iron from three arrow (as suggested on here before) and took that while awaiting Dr to give me the ferrous sulphate.
Hey there - well whatever you are taking is having little impact on your ferritin level -
Do you have any stomach issues - maybe there are absorption issues -
Are you dealing with any other health issue and is your hypothyroidism Auto Immune ?
What dose of ferrous sulphate are you taking and why 5 times a day -
this must make life extremely tedious and difficult as it is advised iron should be taken well away from anything else and around 4 hours away from any other supplements and food -
Have you tried taking vitamin C with the ferritin tablets to aid absorption ?
Many of us end of self medicating when T4 and anti depressants do not solve the problem - and in fact - makes everything worse as we feel we are not listened to, side lined, and not taken seriously.
Might have some stomach issues - have always struggled with bm.
I don't know if my hypo is auto immune?
I'm taking 200mcg a day and take it in the afternoon with lunch. My levo is taken first thing. So I shouldn't take with food? I do take it with Vitamin C.
No for optimal absorption - both your Levothyroxine and iron tablets should be taken on an empty stomach -
both well away from each other - and everything else -
and you should wait around a good hour before eating or drinking anything other than water afterwards.
My ferritin was down at 22 - and I was at around 67 then - so after I got the all clear of the endoscopy and colonoscopy I was prescribed 322 mcg daily Ferrous Fumerate - which totally upset my stomach and blocked my bowel -
I was not offered any alternative - had a read up and purchased an iron bisglycinate supplement which was less harsh and kinder on my stomach and gut, though took a good year building back up to over 70 - and now I aim for 100 and maintain same by eating iron rich foods.
When were you diagnosed hypothyroid and were you given a reason ?
Presumably there was a blood test showing the medical evidence - and possibly detailing over range thyroid antibodies looking like TPO - TgAB readings and ranges ?
Just wanted add that once my ferritin tipped over 45 - I was much less shaky and not giddy and able to stand without leaning on the kitchen sick for support - long enough to cook a boiled egg, make some toast and wash up afterwards -
and I just hope the same applies to you once you double your existing ferritin reading.
I feel dosing by weight isn’t right. It should be by blood test results. If I was medicated by weight I doubt I’d be symptom free as I am now as I’d be over medicated according to weight versus dose. Your ferritin looks a bit low and could do with increasing to about 90 in your results
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
I feel so unwell
At what dose T3 did you start to feel better if you have THR or ISTH?
3 weeks away from 6 week blood test and I feel worse than ever! 
Cortisol level "normal"??? 
6 week blood test results on 75mcg, do i move up? GP quandary.
