I don't have my test results to hand unfortunately, but wanted to seek advice on when my results should be reviewed. Timeline roughly is:
- Diagnosed with hypo mid November last year and started on 50mcg of Levothyroxine
- Retested in mid Jan which included vitamin and iron levels, increased to 75mcg + bumper dose of Vitamin D for 7 weeks (apparently everything else looked ok but I'll ask for the detailed results)
My doctor's notes say to retest three months after starting the new dose (so mid April). However, I'm five weeks in and my fatigue is getting worse week on week. I guess my question is, is there any likelihood that I might be feeling better given more time to settle in, or if I'm feeling progressively worse at this stage is it better to review sooner than three months? If so I'll call the doctor again and ask more strongly for a medication review... I'm taking it first thing with water, not eating for an hour, taking any other supplements in the evening etc.
Thank you! I've found this community so helpful already.
Written by
momo81
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Thank you! The brand that I have currently is Mercury Pharma, before that it was Crescent (50mcg tablets). I'm taking it first thing (I saw somewhere that you're supposed to wait quite a while after dinner if taking it before bed and I'm going to sleep pretty early!).
Vit D dose is 40,000iu once a week for 7 weeks, then they're recommended a daily dose of 400iu. I'm taking it at least four hours after Levo and with a meal that includes some kind of fat. Still waiting to get access to my full test results so I'm not sure how low it was.
It sounds like it might be reasonable to ask for a medication review after 8 weeks rather than waiting for 12 - at my surgery, it's probably then another week to get the blood test booked in.
What you’re experiencing is very common. Personally me and a few others here have found week 5 after a dose change the worst, then week 6 and beyond settle down.
You need to stay on a steady dose for 6-8 weeks in these early days. When you get close to your full replacement dose (roughly 1.6 mcg X kg body weight) some of us find waiting longer (like 10-12 weeks or more) is helpful.
This whole process in the beginning can take months to a year until you feel out of the woods. It can be a long slow process, although we are all different , but over time things stabilize. See the picture - it’s like that!
You need to get copies of your blood tests on a regular basis. Being “in range” or “normal” is completely useless!
Thank you! I'll definitely give it another couple of weeks before retesting, but it sounds like it might not make sense to wait for the 12-13 suggested at this stage. It's hard to know how to balance it without either doing it too soon when levels might still be settling, or waiting longer than needed when I feel so rubbish.
7 day half life of Levo means by 6 weeks you’re good to test!
You are likely far from your full replacement dose anyway. For me at that stage I went up in 12.5 increments after 75. So next I did 87.5, then after that 100, etc.
So go for it, don’t delay an increase longer then you need to. You can slow down to 8-12 weeks in the next few go rounds if you want.
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.
Nerve issues, hypo or Levo related?
Advice for talking to gp with new results please
How long for Levothyroxine to start working?
New to Hypo..Advice on test results :)
Help - hypo to hyper and reduced dosageof Levo
