Hi all, I have been on levythyroxin 100mg for many years, last August Ihad a stroke(bleed) ...I had blood test in the February showing high bp and cholesterol but was not informed until i enquired after my stroke, tut tut on doctors surgery. Blood tests in November after stroke showed cholesterol had come down (I improved my diet) but thyroid test was strange serum free T4 was 23.8 and TSH level was 0.05 so my doctor reduced my leverthyroxin to 75mg. I was extremely cold all the time. Today I had a further test which shows serum free T4 is now 13.1 and TSH level has risen to 7.9 my LDL serum cholesterol is now 3.1 . I am confused can anyone help me. I am 70 years old , was physically fit and worked right up to month before my stroke so I had in fact just retired. Thank you
Hypothyroidism TSHLevel: Hi all, I have been on... - Thyroid UK
Hypothyroidism TSHLevel
welcome to the forum
Just testing TSH and Ft4 doesn’t tell you the whole story
Extremely important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together
Low Ft3 is usually responsible for high cholesterol
For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we MUST have good vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels
Lower vitamin levels extremely common on levothyroxine
Also lower vitamin levels much more common as we get older
Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking
Has GP tested vitamin levels
If not get these tested NOW
Also very important to test thyroid levels early morning, ideally before 9am, only drinking water between waking at test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Today I had a further test which shows serum free T4 is now 13.1 and TSH level has risen to 7.9
So you are now on inadequate dose Levo
Get dose increase back to 100mcg daily
Retest thyroid levels in a further 6-8 weeks
Which brand of Levo is 75mcg
Which brand is 100mcg
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
verywellhealth.com/best-tim...
markvanderpump.co.uk/blog/p...
markvanderpump.co.uk/blog/p...
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
Wow Thankyou, a lot to take in, I will try answering. Firstly I had to demand a blood test again and T3 never done (I just checked my records) I was told to take all meds on waking, 3 for high bp and 1 for thyroid. Vit levels never checked and never been asked what i do take. ( Multivit, vit d , b cimplex and just started on glucosamine today.) Though I take these mid morning. Blood test Is always on empty stomach . Doctor now has said thyroid retest in 4 months time. 75mg levothyroxine brand is vencamil the 100mg from what I can remember was a good brand. Thank you
I was told to take all meds on waking, 3 for high bp and 1 for thyroid.
Honestly…..even NHS guidelines are clear to always take levothyroxine on its own
If it’s easier…..take Levo at bedtime
Many members do this …..or take in middle of night if always get up for the loo
Or set alarm for 6am …..take Levo and go back to sleep
if you have been taking Levo with other medications this would be making it less effective
So you might only need smaller increase in Levo
Perhaps to 87.5mcg daily
75mcg plus half a 25mcg tablet
Or 75mcg and 100mcg on alternate days
Get a weekly pill dispenser to help organise your pills
multivitamins never recommended as most contain iodine not, not recommended when on Levo. And usually contain iron - shouldn’t supplement iron unless testing regularly and found to be low. Iron is toxic in excess
Vencamil is fairly new, certainly in any doses other than 100mcg
Vencamil often very well tolerated/best option for many people
How to get Vencamil stocked at your local pharmacy
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Posts discussing Vencamil
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....
Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.
Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.
Government guidelines for GP in support of patients if you find it difficult/impossible to change brands
gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...
If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient.
academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...
Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).
And here
pharmacymagazine.co.uk/clin...
Discussed here too
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Thank you I will change my med routine tomorrow and take thyroid meds on evening instead. You have certainly given me more information than my own doctor. I will also try and bring my next blood test forward though it may be hard talking to gp. Thank you again
Suggest you get vitamin levels tested now
Via GP if possible
Or this is cheapest and NHS
monitormyhealth.org.uk/anae...
10% off code here
thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...
ALWAYS stop vitamin B complex 3-5 days before any blood test as contains biotin
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
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 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70:
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
Not familiar with lab numbers, but what I will tell you is Levothyroxine will elevate BP and cholesterol I read that in Mayo Clinic material !
Typically levothyroxine (or any other form of thyroid hormone replacement) will reduce cholesterol blood test results. Indeed, hypothyroidism is a major cause of higher cholesterol levels. If Mayo are saying otherwise, please let us know where.
Blood pressure is more difficult and subtle. I'd not wish to speculate about the precise effects in an individual.
I want to correct what I said . It is elevated BP that is related to Levothyroxine use and it did in fact happen to me that was the reason I was researching it . Cholesterol I don't know about and had not researched. I want to thank your for the correction and attention to keeping this site accurate . Again thank you for the correction
I would like to say , I am so pleased I was accepted on this forum. I have learned so much more just from reading through posts. As with my stroke forum, we have helped each other immensely just talking and comparing notes. Thank you again
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