Thyroid levels and symptoms

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Can anyone please explain what sort of levels would cause symptoms and how much of an increase may likely be needed to get to a level of no symptoms?

I was on a dose of 100 for underactive thyroid. Had bloods done. Doctor stated normal level is 4 or under and that mine was 13.

He has upped meds by 25 and will test bloods again in 3 months. Is the small increase likely to get to a normal level or could I be looking at many increases before then?

Thanks.

Yes good advice from sea.

you do need these things to support a healthy thyroid normally but often people with hypothyroidism can be lacking in them too. I believe it directly affects iron levels; something to do with bone marrow metabolism (which I read about via the BTF)

Iirc ferroglobin liquid has these in?

A bath of a lot of Epsom salts can really help get a good shot of sleep inducing magnesium. Check it's not too hot though; hypothyroidism can make your temp awareness a bit off, possibly as you feel cold. If I get too hot from a bath without realising I find I can't sleep all night.

I always take my thyroxine with my morning cuppa, doesn’t seem to be detrimental

I thought as thyroxine is stored for 8 weeks that was why they can’t test again for 8 weeks as there won’t be any point

I thought you were supposed to avoid dairy at the same time as taking levothyroxin. I now take mine at night as other meds I take have to be taken then and it's easier to take them all at the same time!

You could also try seeing a different GP.

I have found that GP knowledge is really variable. I now try to book all my appointments with 1 particular GP as he is the only one at my practice who seems to have any real understanding of the condition- since he’s being overseeing my treatment I have managed to return to full time work which had been impossible previously.

no idea about avoiding dairy, don’t drink milk anyway but no one has ever told me to take thyroxine and avoid dairy or take with water etc

Calcium, iron and fibre can interfere with absorption so it's recommended that you take it on an empty stomach.

However the key thing is consistency. I take mine with breakfast which is generally the same everyday and my tsh is very low and I feel great. This is because I have a 5 yo and a baby and the mornings are chaotic! I forget at night, or fall asleep too soon while sorting out/ boobing baby.

The half life if Thyroxine is around 10 days (7-10; I think the hypo/ hyperthyroid state of the body has an impact on this). So to reach the full dose it takes several weeks (I once worked it out, 3 mo is the best time length but 4-6 weeks usually gives a good picture) and similarly if you stopped taking it it would take a couple of weeks for symptoms to show.

If you miss a dose it won't make much difference at all. If you miss a dose once during most weeks, I worked out it can potentially be the equivalent of a 25 tablet drop over time (if on around 100-125)

3 months allows for symptoms to be fully resolved or not depending on dose changes being adequate enough, so if not the Gp can discuss symptoms with the patient and adjust accordingly.

I feel great. This is because I have a 5 yo and a baby

This sentence is wrong.

I feel ok despite having a baby and 5 yo!!!! My tsh is great.