will there be any benefits from going from 200m... - Thyroid UK
will there be any benefits from going from 200mg to altenating between 100mg and 75mg? just seems like quite a drop that dr told me to do
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That is a massive drop and, in my view, totally unacceptable except in an extreme situation. (Even then, I think it would have to be a more thoughtful approach.)
What blood test results made your doctor tell you to do this?
You do have a right to know these results (and get the reference ranges):
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/NHS_In...
You do realise that things like this are supposed to be discussed between you and the doctor? - you should not simply be told to do it.
Rod
i had a blood test to check if i had glandular fever (which i don't) and my thyroid was checked at the same time as it was due. had a phonecall this afternoon from the receptionist to say to go to this dose and that was it
jayne
To drop from 200mcg daily to what averages out at 87mcg daily must be a really bad mistake by your doctor.
Assuming you were OK on 200mcg levo daily then why does your doctor think such a drop is called for? There can be no benefits in such a drop, it will mean that you will be on a dose more appropriate for somebody being titrated up to their optimal dose.
You can challenge him/her on this drop, you do not have to accept it if you were fine on 200mcg. Ask what reason has s/he for such a large drop? There really cannot be any that stands up to rational analysis. Even were you to have been overmedicated, in the doctor's opinion, such a big drop down to this level is inexplicable, seems illogical, and can only result in undermedication.
It would be very useful if you were to post blood test results, you are entitled to copies when you ask for them, post results on here plus the reference ranges as these vary from lab to lab.
and lots of people will advise you.
i will phone in the morning and ask for my results and why he thinks this is the best course of action, when i was told i thought it was odd which is actually why i signed up to this site today to ask for advice
Hi skitz
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With that being such a massive drop, I wonder if it was a mistake. Perhaps they meant to say to alternate between 200mcg and 175mcg? Definitely ask to see the doctor! That is much too big a drop.
Alternating between 200mcg and 175mcg does make a lot more sense then 100mcg and 75mcg. Will phone in the morning and not take any until I know for sure, which probably isn't helpful either!
I have phoned up and a different receptionist agrees that it is avery sharp drop so when the woman in charge of prescriptions comes out of a meeting she is phoning me back so hoping to sort it out very soon!
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I am sorry to say that most GP's do not know how to treat hypothyroid patients. They have no right to reduce your dose unless you have gone to him with overactive symptoms. By reducing your meds by only looking at your TSH blood result is wrong.
If you cursor down to the question dated July 15, 2006
web.archive.org/web/2010112...
and on the following link the January 25, 2002 Question and this is an excerpt and link is below
In fact, your observations are consistent with what science tells us about a patient's T4 dose, her TSH level, and her metabolic health or lack of it. If the goal of a doctor is metabolic health for his patient, he has no scientific basis for adjusting her thyroid hormone dose by her TSH level. If the doctor is going to make the imprudent choice of treating the patient with T4 (rather than T3 or a T3/T4 combination), he should be aware of the relevant physiology and treat her on the basis of it. Otherwise, he's likely to ruin her health, as your doctor appears to be doing to yours.
web.archive.org/web/2010112...
I defanitly (excuse spelling, have never spelt that word correctly!) Have never had an overactive thyroid. I was diagonosed with underactive via the heel prick test when I was a baby 25 years ago. I feel really bad because dispite having this for all my life I know very litle about it
I am the same, I have had hypothyroidism all
My life for 32 yrs and I am only just picking up the t3, t4 part. Do you still feel tired and suffer from other symptoms?
Skitz,
Do not feel bad about not knowing because if you were on medication which suited you and made you feel well you would never have thought of searching the internet.
In order to get well, you are right that you have to learn more than your GP as most do not know best how to get you well.
I have phoned up and a different receptionist agrees its a very big drop so when the woman in charge of prescriptions comes out of a meeting I am getting a call back and can hopefully get this sorted
You now know more than the prescription writer and the GP, so stick to your guns and say you have researched and find it is o.k. to have a suppressed TSH. There is no danger of heart attacks (that's what most GP's think).
I am to alternate between 175mcg and 200mcg, this makes much more sense
Did your doctor reduce because you were complaining or did he reduce it ony due to your TSH result? If so, take note of how you are feeling and if you begin to suffer see him again.
Did you get your actual results as from the sound of your symptoms (hair falling out, unable to lose weight), it sounds like you should be increasing not decreasing
If you can post your actual results on here that would be very helpful xx
I haven't been given my results, just what I've been told over the phone
I would advise you to get hold of your actual results (and reference ranges) - doctors often think that if your TSH is in range that is OK, but many patients need it to be right at the bottom of the range or even supressed to feel well.
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/NHS_In...
Clare xx
Ring your surgery, speak to your doctor and say you do not want to lower your dosage. NO docotr can reduce, change or stop your medication without discussing and agreeing with YOU the patient!!
Sorry DOCTOR...
Had the same experience - a phone call from the receptionist to say I 'needed' a lower dose...
I had my dose of thyroxine reduced quite dramatically by an unknown GP over the telephone following blood test results. The result was that my levels dropped far too low. I believe that drops of 25mcg is the usual step either up or down. I was referred to a endocrinologist who advised that dose should be maintained for at least 3 months before changing the amount taken sometimes longer.