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Levothyroxine dose increased

Posted , 5 users are following.

hayley46443
hayley46443

Hi all,

was hopeing somebody could shed some light on this for me?

Back in November 2013 i was diagnosed with underactive thyroid after a blood test. I was put on 50mcg of levo and in feb my blood test confirmed i was back in a normal range, so i was left for 3 months till i needed another blood test! i recently had my bloods taken, and 2 days later my GP called to say my thyroid had gone too low again and he wanted to double my dose!

i had my dose increased from 50mcg to 100mcg 6 days ago. I am noticing today that i am feeling a little twitchy and a little bit like everything has sped up, although i still feel a little tired as well 'is this normal?

I remeber feeling like this when i first started taking levo, so i am thinking i will be ok in a day or two.. Or could this be because the dose is too high?? 

Also when is the best time to take my meds first thing Or last thing??

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • clive86761
    clive86761 hayley46443

    Posted

    As regards your last question, I have received completely contradictory advice about the best time to take levo - 1) first thing on waking, 2) after breakfast
    • hayley46443
      hayley46443 clive86761

      Posted

      Yes Clive it's very confusing as to when is the best time to take it? As some people take first thing before food, that's what I'm doing! And some take last thing at night. 
  • gcowboy
    gcowboy hayley46443

    Posted

    As a general rule, it is recommended to take it first thing, at least 30 mins before food.  I have, with my GP's agreement, started taking it at night, to see if it makes any difference to side effects, since a small number of people have found that it has made a difference3 hours minimum after food.  It should be on an empty stomach for best effect.  It is not surprising that you have side effects at any dosage.  GPs don't tend to warn about side effects as they vary from person to person.  As a 51 year old male, I have found lethargy and some depression.  Speak to your GP and your pharmacist - the pharmacist may be better informed!

     

    • hayley46443
      hayley46443 gcowboy

      Posted

      Thanks  for replying, I think I will ask the pharmacist about taking it in the evening. I guess then I could be sleeping whilst any side effects kick in. 
  • glynisrose
    glynisrose hayley46443

    Posted

    Did your doctor tell you to take twice as much in one go?  Curious as I would have increased it in steps rather than shock my system with a double dose.
    • hayley46443
      hayley46443 glynisrose

      Posted

      Hi thanks for replying Glynis. I did ask my GP why the double increase and not try 75mcg, but he said it was very low again! And wanted to increase to 100mcg  all I know is he said the normal range is between 0.27 I think up to 4.3 I might be a little wrong with those figures but mine was 13.2 and apparently that's very low considering I had been taking 50mcg for a good 6 months. 
    • glynisrose
      glynisrose hayley46443

      Posted

      There is no such thing as 'Normal' unless your doc measured your levels BEFORE you got ill?  Everyone is different and what makes one bad makes another better!!  DO NOT rely on blood tests, go by how you feel, how do you feel?  NEVER let your doctor reduce your meds by blood results, they only do the TSH test which is not worth the paper taken to write it down!!
    • clive86761
      clive86761 glynisrose

      Posted

      I think you make some good points here.

      Can you explain why the TSH test is inadequate?

    • hayley46443
      hayley46443 glynisrose

      Posted

      Hi glynis,

      well hopefully i will be seeing the endocrinolosist soon, I have been refered to a specialist as i have another auto immune Disease i have had since i was 16, Im now 40. and they would like to do further investigations due to my family history of auto immune diseases. My Great granmother Had thyroid problems, vitiligo & Addisons disease!   

      So that is why they wish to keep an eye on me.  The Addison disease scares me a little 'so i am praying i never get diagnosed with this, It would involve taking meds 3 times a day and  carrying an emergency injections incase of a crisis....

      Although Addisons is quite rare, I have a higher chance of getting this because i already have 2 auto immune conditions & because of my G/grandmothers history, Sadley for her they didn't have the treatment back in them days that they have now! and she died aged 42..   

  • doreen75627
    doreen75627 hayley46443

    Posted

    same happened to me, I still do not feel like my old self and have been on them since Xmas gone. I keep thinking things will settle down sooner or later. I feel a bit disorientated at the moment, I read that vitamin D or lack of it could be a cause so I am sitting in the sunshine a bit more to see if that help me. I did take them first thiong in the morning and changed to last thing at night which I find is better for me.The only way to find out if it is working is by a blood test and mine was okay after being put on the 100mcgs. Hope that helps you.
    • hayley46443
      hayley46443 doreen75627

      Posted

      Thanks Doreen 

      I have only been taking 100mcg for 6 days, had my last blood test done 8 days ago! So next one is due in 5 weeks, guess it will show then if it's working. 

    • glynisrose
      glynisrose doreen75627

      Posted

      DO NOT rely on blood tests, they only measure what is circulating in the blood NOT whether it is working!!
    • hayley46443
      hayley46443 glynisrose

      Posted

      Hi glynis,

      So if not to rely on the blood tests 'how else do we find out if its working? i have no idea? 

    • glynisrose
      glynisrose hayley46443

      Posted

      Go by how you feel, if you are having hyper symptoms then reduce your meds yourself or if having hypo then raise them, its easy to lower the meds if you feel you are going too far towards hyper.  NEVER rely on what your doctor says, they looked at a book for one day in their studies and we all know that no-one is ever case - book don't we?  Listen to your body and if your doctor doesn't agree then chellenge him / her to produce checkable references, its your health and your life so challenge!!  As for the TSH test it was invented to support the use of levo (which is synthetic T4) and about as much use as a bottle of chips.  
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