Sharp increase in TSH

[Lotsothyroidqustions]

Hi all,

After such helpful advice from the lovely people of this forum earlier this year, in June my GP finally agreed (fairly unwillingly) to increase my Levothyroxine dosage from 75mcg to 100mcg as I had been experiencing joint and muscle pain, weight gain, extreme fatigue, and generally feeling terrible. By August my TSH decreased from nearly 4 to 1.34 (based on blood taken in the morning before taking Levo) and I had started to feel a bit better.

I went back to the GP this week for another symptom (my ankles seem to be slightly swollen and discoloured - he said they look fine) and after a conversation he decided to check my thyroid levels and do a full blood count. My TSH is now 8.57 (based on a blood test taken in the evening having taken my Levo in the morning)! I have carefully adhered to taking my Levo and set a timer for an hour after taking it before I eat or drink anything. I do not miss doses.

The only things I can think of that have changed since August are that I have started a weight training programme in July, I started taking Symprove for gut health in August but always an hour after Levo and I had Covid a few weeks ago.

Has anyone had a similar leap in TSH levels. Could it be any of the things above causing this? The GP has requested a consultation in a couple of weeks but I want to go armed with as much information as possible.

thanks in advance!

[waveylines]

It simple indicates that you need a further increase. Then retest in two months. Your thyroid is failing. This happened to me. It settle after a while since I was on the optimum dose for me..

[Lotsothyroidqustions in reply to waveylines]

Many thanks waveylines . I am glad to hear it has settled for you!

[waveylines in reply to Lotsothyroidqustions]

Sorry didn't mean to sound uncaring or patronising but reassuring. . . It actually took me several years because levothyroxine did not work well for me despite copious amounts. Had to go private.... as an ignorant GP left me on a starter dose for over a year.

Please to see yours is increasing the dose.

[Lotsothyroidqustions in reply to waveylines]

Thank you! I know it can be difficult to tell the tone of people’s messages online but I took it as you meant it ☺️ That’s interesting that you say Levothyroxine didn’t work well for you despite copious amounts - I have read that some people have difficulty activating it. I wonder if that could be what is happening with me. I will definitely go private too if I am not able to get this under control soon. Thanks again!

[waveylines in reply to Lotsothyroidqustions]

I was a poor converter that's why it didn't work well. It does work well for many but a good chunk it doesn't.

If you do go private please check very very very carefully who you go to. There is a lot of ignorance in the proffessionals, many Endocrinologists are diabetes experts and know no more than a GP re thyroid. Thyroid Uk have a list of Specialists that you can ask for through ThyroidUK Admin. (Look at the pinned posts) However even these need checking out very carefully.