New dosage
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi fam,
I am new to this site. I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. I had been suffering from hyper 20 years ago and turned to hypo about 15 years ago-recently diagnosed with hashimotos as well. I have been taking Levothyroxine forever. Back in September my GP upped my dosage to 150mcg. After awhile I noticed I was getting chunky (swollen face and "2nd chin", pulling out clumps of hair, drained during the day but couldn't sleep a wink at night. I went to see an Endocrinologist Dec. 23rd. She said I was taking way to much levothyroxine for my weight. She lowered it to 100mcg and included a vitamin D and calcium supplement. I really haven't noticed a difference and was wondering how long does it usually take for a new dosage to kick in? Thank you!!
1 like, 30 replies
tneel317
Posted
LAHs tneel317
Posted
However, here is my two cents worth. I am surprised that an Endo would prescribe a calcium supplement along with thyroid meds. Generally speaking you keep those two very separated. I know why she is doing it: it is to prevent osteoporosis - but you should not take Ca with Thx meds. Get your calcium from some other source, e.g. glass of milk last thing at night, that will help you sleep and provide calcium. Makes me wonder how long she has been an Endo.
But please post your numbers, it will help.
tneel317 LAHs
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I'm supposed to go get my labs done On 2/4/16 since her lowering it to see where we stand.
barbara98940 tneel317
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barbara98940 tneel317
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tneel317 barbara98940
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barbara98940 tneel317
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shellyC19 tneel317
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My name is Shelly and I am a nurse in the USA. I have Hashimoto's since 1987 and I am 54.
When I was younger it was like I was Hyper and then later I was Hypo. It is normal for Hashi's to do that until it settles down.
You may need a different med. I could not absorb Levo very well and I ended up only on Liothyronine T3 only.
Please post your TSH level if you have it. When you start a new dose it takes 6 to 12 weeks to make a new level in the body.
You may want to look into NDT, a natural dessicated thyroid and they are made from a pig's thyroid gland and it works better in a lot of people. Take Levo on an empty stomach and wait at least 1 hour before food.
You may want to take a multivitamin with iron also and I agree with VIt D. We lose the ability to make Vit D from Sunlight as we age, so we need to replace it or we will get Osteoporosis.
Keep us posted on how you do.
Shelly
tneel317 shellyC19
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As far as a multivitamin, I currently take one that contains 5000mcg of Biotin, is Argon Oil infused and contains Antioxidants A, C & E plus hyaluronic acid. Not sure how much Iron I need, but this contains 3mg.
Thoughts?
Thank you so much! I will post my levels after testing,
Tracie
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shellyC19 tneel317
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If you are in the UK, NHS will not support NDT or the like because it is not a licensed med. What this means is, it is made from a pig's gland and can contain more hormone as it is not as exact as Levo is. However, it has been around way before the FDA who puts a "good stamp" on drugs. It has been around since 1900 and FDA from 1940's or later. Also NDT is not on a patent which Doctor's like, because a pig can't be patented. So let's work with Levo for now.
Levo is synthetic and will work but some people have allergies to it or it does not work as it should because of an absorption and converting problem in the thyroid gland. The blood work will show how your TSH level is and it can be adjusted up or down as needed.
So a few thoughts are: Along with your other vitamins, go to a vitamin shop and get vitamins that are for iron (ferrous sulfate) and Vitamin D.
Iron if low will make it hard for the Levo to work. Also the normal amount of Vit D should be at least 1000IU for a multivitamin as recommended intake. Also eat a good balanced diet to get vitamins from food. Some people find more natural vitamins in health food stores also. Women need iron until we menopause. It does help our bodies build new Red Blood cells. It may make your feces look dark or black but it is okay.
Vit D helps us keep our bones in good shape and many of us with thyroid disease are low in it. It prevents bad cramps in muscles also.
Do some walking as it helps the body, nothing fancy, just walk some.
So keep up all that you are doing, and if you have nay questions just ask.
Regards,
Shelly
tneel317 shellyC19
Posted
Got my results back and TSH is very low:
COMPONENT RESULT UNITS NORMALCY NORMAL RANGE HIGH VALUE HIGH UNIT LOW VALUE LOW UNIT XSI TYPE
TSH
25.24
uIU/mL
H
0.49-4.67
Free T4 was within normal range. I am deficient in Vitamin B so I started taking 200mcg Vit B12 once a day. Dr. upped my Levo to 125mcg and I will repeat bloodwork on March 31st.
tneel317
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shellyC19 tneel317
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TSH 25.24 is correct? If the number is HIGH, it means your HYPOTHYROID still and not enough hormone.
Scale is 0.45 to 4.50 and when number is on the upper end you are Hypo or low in hormone and when it is on the low end you are Hyper or too much. It is confusing I know.
Okay 125mcg take it everyday, and food with the medication for 1 hour after you take it.
Okay to Vit B-12 you will pick up more energy from that and make new Red Blood cells which carry oxygen around your body. So stay on that and get your vitamins in good shape. Did they check your ferritin?
Give your Levo about 6 to 12 weeks to build up to a new level. It takes some time.
Keep me updated, any questions just ask.
Shelly
shellyC19 tneel317
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NO FOOD after taking Levo for about 1 hour. Sorry for the confusion. Somehow my No was dropped.
Shelly
tneel317 shellyC19
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COMPONENT RESULT UNITS NORMALCY NORMAL RANGE HIGH VALUE HIGH UNIT LOW VALUE LOW UNIT XSI TYPE
FERRITIN
17
ng/mL
11-307
shellyC19 tneel317
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Me too, I have had Hashi's since 1987. Okay good to know that your ferritin was tested but it should be over 70+ for Levo to work well. 17 is still a bit low. As your doctor if you should take Iron or at least a good multi vitamin with iron in it.
I take a Women's multi vitamin each day with iron in it. We can lose it because we have our periods.
XO, Shelly
tneel317 shellyC19
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I had my Iron tested. Please see below and let me know your thoughts.
IRON
69
ug/dL
50-170
IRON BINDING
342
ug/dL
250-425
IRON SATURATION
20
% SATURATION
15-50
shellyC19 tneel317
Posted
Ferritin is a component of iron and it stored in the body and helps with cells and other things like absorption of this hormone and the way it is transported around in the body.
It makes Levo work better and even though you are in the okay section, it needs to be higher for Levo, and you should take a good multivitamin with iron. Take it 3 times a week and that will bring it up more. You can also take one every day. It may turn fece dark and look black. You will feel much better so try it out.
XO, Shelly
tneel317 shellyC19
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XO, Tracie
shellyC19 tneel317
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Brand I use is "One a dayfor Women with Iron" and most pharmacies or drug stores carry a good brand. Do try it and it will help you improve your TSH big time.
When is your next blood draw? Ask the doctor to recheck Ferritin in 2 or 3 months from now. I'll bet your TSH will improve to normal.
XO, Shelly
tneel317 shellyC19
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barbara98940 tneel317
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When my Ferritin was undet 70 I was prescribed iron tablets - ferrous sulphate, though there are others (200mg from memory, but not sure I've got that right).
As you can see, your results mirror this: your TSH is too high suggesting that you need more thyroid hormone; your % iron saturation also suggests you thyroid hormone dose is too low. Also your Ferritin is too low, suggesting you are anaemic and need iron supplements. The same endo said Ferritin needed to be 70+ (same as Shelley said). I suspect you will start to feel a bit better if you take a multivitamin that contains iron.
tneel317 barbara98940
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tneel317 shellyC19
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I am at the store and see the one a day for women but it doesn't specifically say also, "with iron". It does however contain iron on the ingredients list. Do I have the wrong bottle? How much iron does yours contain?
shellyC19 tneel317
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It is okay if it does not say Iron on it but contains it. Mine says 18mg which says it is 100% of the Recommended Allowances.
As long as it has Iron that is fine.
Shelly
barbara98940 shellyC19
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shellyC19 tneel317
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Take the vitamin everyday so we can see how it does for you on 3/31/16.
Keep us posted, love to hear good news,
Shelly
shellyC19 barbara98940
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Wow that is a difference!
XO, Shelly