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!!
I am 44 years of age in case that matters 😊
Can you post your blood test results so that we can get a handle on your situation. Post the range too because some of us live in other countries where different units are used.
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.
I'm sorry. I should of worded that differently. I don't take it with my Levo. I take my Levo strictly by itself.
I'm supposed to go get my labs done On 2/4/16 since her lowering it to see where we stand.
Hi, usual rule of thumb dose is 1.7mcg per kg of body weight. It takes me about 3 months to stabilise after changing dose.
On 2nd Apr, don't take your thyroid tablets until after the blood test else it messes up the results.
Thanks Barbara. Even if I take it at 4am and my test is at 5pm?
In that circumstance, it's less clear cut, as there is a quite lot of time between taking the tablets and having the blood test. You need to find what works best for you. My experience (and therefore advice) is based on my having a body that doesn't convert T4 to T3 very well. So for me I would wait and take it immediately after the blood test because too much T4 would still be in my blood. I would then take my next 4am dose as normal.
Hello Tneel:
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
Thank you Shelly. I go back and have labs done on the 3rd for my new lowered dose. I asked my Endo about NDT when I was there on 12/23. She told me that Levo is the best you can be on since it is natural; that NDT is hard to guage as far as dosage. Personally, I really wanted to try it.
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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Hello Tnee:
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
Thanks so much! Will keep you posted.
Hi Shelly,
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.
I meant 2500 mcg of VIT B12 Once daily
Hello Tnee:
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
Tnee:
It should read NO FOOD for 1 hour after taking Levo.
Shelly
Tnee:
NO FOOD after taking Levo for about 1 hour. Sorry for the confusion. Somehow my No was dropped.
Shelly
Yep, I have been hypo for years... diagnosed with Hashimotos last December. Ferritin was tested...
COMPONENT RESULT UNITS NORMALCY NORMAL RANGE HIGH VALUE HIGH UNIT LOW VALUE LOW UNIT XSI TYPE
FERRITIN
17
ng/mL
11-307
Hello Tnee:
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
Good to know! Wow! My 17 is way far off from 70+!
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