I hope you can advise me as I am feeling let down and worried after my second appointment with an endocrinologist. I started on 50 mcg Levothyroxine in January (weight = 70kg) when my TSH was 10.5 (0.27 - 4.20); T4 was 12.1 (12 - 22); and T3 was 4.6 (3.1-6.8). TPA antibodies were 95 and TG antibodies were 103 and ultrasound scan result was Hashimoto’s. I’d felt ill for several years with what I now know were all the classic hashimoto’s symptoms. At the same time as starting treatment, I also went gluten free, came off my very low dose of fluoxetine (10mg), and started supplementing Vit D +k. Most symptoms have persisted and I am still struggling to manage fulltime work and live any kind of even half-normal life, although I think it is just possible that I am a bit less cold att (or at least the hot water bottle habit seems to be tailing off). What has improved a lot is the IBS symptoms that stopped me from sleeping or woke me up every night. I still have to take Digestic to poo, but at least the bloating and discomfort is much less.
I went for my 2nd set of blood tests this week, assuming that the endocrinologist I saw in Jan for the first time would put up my dose of Levothyroxine (after all, my GP wanted to start me on 100 mcg). He looked at my new set of blood test results and said not to increase, as I was well in range and my levels had normalised faster than he’d have expected them to (ie: within 9 weeks). My results are now: TSH = 2.1 (0.27 - 4.20), T4 15.4 (12 – 22; 34% through range), T34.4 (3.1-6.8; 35.14% through range). When I said that I would like to increase my dose anyway as I still felt unwell, he reluctantly agreed that I could take 75 mcg at the weekend and 50mcg during the week. He said I wouldn’t like it if I got hyperthyroid and “ended up in a hospital having a stroke which would really be something life-changing”. I do have a final and full set of tests scheduled with the endo for mid May, at which point he’s going to release me back to the GP. That will include cholesterol which has been raised for the last couple of years, Vit D, antibodies, as well as TSH, T4 and T3.
Can you give me some guidance on what my options might be? I think I have a supportive GP, but haven’t tested that yet as I only joined the practice late last year. Should I do what endo says and take the increase for just 2 out of 7 days as he capitulated to. Or should I take 75mcg on Mon, Weds, and Fri, which is at least the equivalent of 60mcg a day. Or should I say to hell with it and put myself on 75mcg and see what the May blood tests show.
Also is there any way to see whether others on this forum have anything to say about the endo I’ve seen. He seems to be more of a diabetes specialist, but one of his write ups does cover thyroid and all other endocrinology. His manner was very gentle, but I wasn’t mad about the “stoke” comment, which felt a bit like a softly spoken reprimand really.
thank you - your guidance last time really helped me get my head straight!
Remember me asking you if I'd be crazy to start taking 50mcg of levo?
High levels of estrogen.
GP wants to put me on statins but reluctant to take due to underactive thyroid and liver issues
