A year on and still not feeling right.

[loulou09]

I am on 150 levo, but I still feel tired etc etc. My TSH is 3.02. Do you think it could be the levo that is making me feel worse ? .

[shaws Administrator]

I think you may be undertreated. When you give the results of blood tests, always put the ranges (figures in brackets) as labs differ and it makes it easier to comment.

The TSH is high if you are on meds, although doctors like to keep you within the 'normal range' but many of us feel better with a low or suppressed TSH.

If you email [e-mail] and ask for a copy of the article by Dr Toft, ex British Thyroid Association. If you think it appropriate send a copy for your GP to read before your next appoint so he has time to absorb it. Question 6 - an excerpt

6 What is the correct dose of thyroxine and is there any rationale for adding in tri-iodothyronine?

The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range – 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

[loulou09 in reply to shaws]

Thanks I shall do this. Just getting so fed up as over a year now and thought it would be all sorted .

[Jackie]

Hi Sounds as if you may need a Free T3 test and treatment with T3 with the Levo. Also all the other important tests. if that does not help ask to see your choice of endo.

Jackie

[loulou09 in reply to Jackie]

Thanks for the advice but had T3 done and endo said all ok

[Jackie in reply to loulou09]

hi Did you ask for a copy of tests + ranges?You can ask the endo`s secretary to send you copy + copy of the letter from endo to GP, very useful! Ok is often fairly low in range. a lot of us need FT3 near the top. For this reason I have both Armour ( cannot take T4) and T3 on scripts. I see an endo, some will not go by how patient sees, it really depends who you see, bloods but also how you feel. Usually T4 ,on treatment needs to be in the top third.If you are seeing an endo you should have automatically had all the other relevant tests, especially ferritin, B12 folic acid, diabetes and vit ( hormonal)You should feel better when the treatment is right. It does take a long time.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[Heather77]

My experience is that unless my TSH level is under 1, I have symptoms. When it has been above 2, I feel extremely tired with tired aching muscles and all the symptoms of hypothyroid..

Heather

[evewood1]

The question is this - do you feel that your symptoms have got a bit better since you have been taking levo.

If the answer is yes then you probably don't have a problem with converting it to T3. If the symptoms have got better but not gone away completely then as shaws says you probably need some more levo and so it would be best to follow their advice.

if levo agrees with you and you can get the right dose of it free on the NHS it is the easiest and cheapest way to get better.

If you have taken levo and your symptoms have NEVER got any better then you may have to resort to something like armor or T3 which is effective but more difficult to get your doc to prescribe and more tricky to deal with.

Best Wishes.