Could someone explain my thyroid test results

[ThyroidMary]

TSH 19.2 mU/L

Free T4 19.6 pmol/L

I've been taking 75mg of Levothyroxine for a few years now when I remember

Your TSH is very high. It should be between 0 and 2. When did you last have it tested?

Your GP should increase your levothyroxine

Tested last week. GP wants to re-test at the end of the month. I trust my GP but, like you said, it is very high and I am a hypochondriac

Take your Levothyroxine properly for six weeks before you test again, then you'll get a representative result. At the moment your thyroid is flogging itself to keep going. Give it a chance!

I've bought one of those pill dispensers for every day of the week. Is it best to take Levothyroxine in the morning or evening?

You are supposed to take it in the morning, at least half an hour before any food or any caffeinated drinks. Not with your coffee (like my mother).

Thanks for replies. I'm feeling a bit guilty about my poor thyroid flogging itself to keep going!

You can take levothyroxine before you go to bed if you want to (I do, as it suits me better). You should take it away from all food or drinks, apart from water, and ideally leave it an hour before eating – the Patient Information Leaflet often states 30 minutes, but patient-to-patient advice is longer.

When having a blood test, make sure it is as early in the morning as possible, and don’t take your levo beforehand. If you take it in the morning, you can take it after the test. Doctors will tell you that it makes no difference, but it is the advice given on the HealthUnlockedd forum.

Your TSH is way too high for someone on medication, and it’s a shame that your GP hasn’t already increased your levo (unless you really are forgetting to take it a lot?) It really is important to take it regularly.

@isjustme if you take it before you go to bed, how long does it need to be since you last had anything to eat or drink (other than water)? Is it best that it’s at least an hour either side?

SparkwoodAnd21 My understanding is that two hours after food is better, although it tends be longer for me because I go to bed late!

The only reason I take it at night is that it is easier for me to ensure I take it well away from food, and other supplements which I take during the day. Levo shouldn’t be taken it with other medications, or vitamins/minerals.

I think I'm going to incorporate it into my bedtime routine: cleanse, moisturise, floss - take Levo!

This will avoid me taking it too close to food or Lanzoprozole.

As PP have said, your TSH is very high, I'm in aus so our 'normal' is different, but it states 0.4-3.5 as a normal range.

You have to take Levo consistently, every day, it works cumulatively so if you forget one day you won't fee the effect immediately.

I put a reminder on my phone for when I wake up, take it while I make the tea...

Your free T4 range here should be 9-19 so you are right at the top of that.