Hi, I am new to the forum. Was started on 25mg levothyroxine and felt better. However, after 8 weeks my results were
TSH - 12.2
T4 - 15.1
Thyroid peridoxaise Antibody - 188
So advised to increase dose to 50mg levothyroxine. After 10 days of increasing the dose I felt the worst I’ve ever felt. Severe depression and anxiety, constantly overheating, insomnia, bloating and constipation.
After only two days on decreasing to 25mg, my mood is better, I’m not as anxious and not constantly overheating. The bloating and constipation is going to take a little more time to improve! I know I should be taking more levothyroxine, but not sure why I had reacted in this way to the increase in dose.
Advice would be greatly appreciated 😀
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Lunar12
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What brand of Levo are you taking? Was the 50mcg brand the same as the 25mcg?
Can you edit the post to add ranges (in brackets after results) as these can vary between laboratories.
Do you know if FT3 was tested at all?
High thyroid antibodies show your condition is autoimmune (often referred to as Hashimotos)? Auto immune thyroid conditions often turn in families (although in my case I seem to be the only one!)
Anxiety has been the worst symptom of having a thyroid condition for me and it is always worse if I increase medication too quickly. I’m now a fan of ‘low and slow’- adjusting by 12.5mcg (even alternate days at first) until well tolerated. I suggest you try this approach when adjusting if you’ve had adverse effects. Highly likely you will need several small increases (as TSH should alone under 2, with many members reporting they feel best when this falls to 1 or under).
Also key is to have key thyroid vitamins optimal- ferritin, folate, B12 and vit D. Have you tested these at all?
If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if FT4 is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:
Thanks buddy 195, I’ll try and edit results using brackets. You are right the 25mg dose was Wockhardt and 50 mg was Hillcross. I’ll ask GP for Wockhardt again as reading other posts - others have mentioned experiencing side effects with other makes. Good idea about the 12.5mg increase, on alternate days to start with. Much appreciated 😀
Welcome aboard...Hillcross is likely the culprit as it is actually Teva which many people can't tolerate due to the excipients, if you have enough Wockhardt I'd suggest doubling up on those until you can get your prescription altered
I'll just go and have a look who makes 50mcg tablets
Thinking about it, as you are on the way up through the doses it would be worth requesting Vencamil which doesn't contain lactose, acacia or mannitol and as they have now bought out a full range of doses there'd be no more worry when altering your dosage to suit you....
Hillcross (Teva) can contain mannitol and acacia, one other or both can cause the issues you mention... though having just checked Hillcross 50mcg don't contain either it's just the 25mcg which is boxed as Hillcross with Teva inside 😖
I've just been updating my brain re-reading through 🍄's brilliant document!.... I hadn't realized that the new Wockhardt will do all dose sizes too but not actually available yet 😬
The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrixes for levothyroxine tablets, oral solutions and liothyronine available in the UK. Includes injectables and descriptions of tablet markings which allow identification. Latest updates include all declared ingredients for all UK-licensed products and links to Patient Information Leaflets, Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), British National Formulary, NHS Drug Tariff, etc. PLUS how to write prescriptions in Appendix F.
Now also includes latest pricing information from dm+d..
Also includes links for anti-thyroid medicines (but not product details).
You can cut in half with pill cutter or sharp craft scalpel
Suggest you get a weekly pill dispenser
Makes it easy to store cut tablets and easier to see if missed a dose
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
If you 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
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Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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