Tsh 7.2

[Sandie1964]

Ok how do you all deal with organising taking your meds. My daughter has lupus fibromyalgia ( diagnosed recently) and was today after having another round of blood test due to low iron low folate 1.9 low transferin 1.9 . She as been on supplements and are slowly increasing. She was diagnosed with hasimotos after tpo of 369. 9 . This time her tsh was 7.2. So she has been now prescribed levothyrine. She now trying to get her head round when to take everything. Lupus meds with food taken at night . Can she take levo if she wakes up in night as she needs to eat before work.

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

Yes lots of members take Levo in the night

If she normally gets up for loo in night, or set alarm for 4-5am …..take pill and go back to sleep

Best to use a weekly pill dispenser

That way can see if taken it or not

How much levothyroxine is she starting on and which brand is it

Low vitamin levels frequently caused by Hashimoto’s

Low stomach acid when hypothyroid results in poor nutrient absorption and low vitamin levels as direct result

What were most recent vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin results

Has she had coeliac blood test yet

If not that needs doing

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

When normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

[FallingInReverse]

I second the suggestion of a pill organizer with the daily/weekly compartments.

I’m a ridiculously meticulous person and even I sometimes need to check the day’s compartment to double check whether I’ve taken something. It sure does get repetitive.

I also (and many others here) need phone alarms set when to take the various things. I’ve picked a nice soothing sound so I don’t drive my husband crazy lol.

If you want to list out the specific pills she takes, and when, we can provide some specifics arounds what can/cant be taken near what.

[Sandie1964 in reply to FallingInReverse]

Hydroxychloroquine 400mgMapacrine 50mg x3 a week

Buscopan

levothyroxine

Vitamins D

Amitriplyline 30mg a day

Steroids when in a flare

Asthma preventer

[Sandie1964]

Also forgot to add she taking folic acid and folate as she had low iron and folate

[helvella Administrator in reply to Sandie1964]

Is she taking any source of iron?

Some people find they do better on methylfolate than on folic acid.

And very definitely need to check B12 as well.