GP stopping my Thyroxine

[Buddy80]

Hi all,

Just wanted to see if anyone had any experience with this, and if so, did they feel ok when stopping Thyroxine?

I was diagnosed as borderline Hypo when my son was 16-months old.

Anyhow, my GP's tested my blood twice before starting me on a trial of Thyroxine. The results are a month apart.

First: 12.9 T4 (12-22 range) 5.67 TSH (0.3-5.0 range)
Second: 12.5 T4 (12-22 range)4.93 TSH (0.3-5.0 range)

Hence borderline results.

Well, I have been on a trial of 100 micrograms of Actavis Levothyronxine since Aug. I feel better but not much weight loss.

I went to the Dr's last month for another blood test. The results came back - far the other way (can't remember specifically).

I was prescribed a further 2-months supply and told no need for any further medication. If I want I can have a blood test in 6-months.

Does anyone have any experience of this?

hi, no personal experience, but maybe you can explore the diet to maintain your thyroid hormone levels. I have seen on celiac.com forum that people are able to stabilise their thyroid by diet alone (gluten-free).
Maybe you can cut down on wheat-based foods, this should also help with weight.

I have an over active thyroid. I think once your thyriod starts playing silly beggers either way you need to keep a check on it. Off meds I have a yearly thyroid function test as it can go slightly off slowly and you just get used to feeling shit.

The symptoms of Thyriod problems are hard to diagnose especially if you are pregnant or have a young child - Knackered is the default setting all round.

Try not to worry and go back for that blood test in 6 months, or before if you feel symptoms are more than normal for your lifestyle.

Wow 100mg a day? I was on 50 a day on block and replace. You must have been buzzing. Maybe your doc thought you just needed a boost.

In my experience weight loss still has to be done the hard way. When I was diagnosed hyper my T4 levels were over 60 but I'd lost only about 1/2 a stone in the 4 months since the symptoms started. The 12 months block and replace treatment, basically switching off you thyroid and replacing with thyroxine tablets, and the 9 months off meds after that have seen me put on 2 stone.

Nightcat. I'm interested to see diet based stabalisation. I'll check that out. I've heard of soy, fish and other iodine rich foods having an effect but not avoiding wheat.

Thanks very much for the replies. Yes, thats what I am thinking that my GP is helping me by giving me a trial dose and then seeing what my levels are off medication and after a blood test in 6-months time. I was writing really to see what symptoms (if any) I can expect and things to watch out for so I can go back to my GP. I will look into diet though, I have heard some good things about eating certain foods and taking certain vitamins.

it seems a bit strange to knock you off 100mcg a day. i would have thought it more sensible to got to 50mcg ,then 25mcg. Not had much experience of people coming off thyroxine and have worked in pharmacy for 35 years

I have only been on it since Aug, so a short time to re-build my levels and then see what they are at when I am off meds and have a blood test in 6-months time. I will try to eat well and look into vitamins.

you dont rebuild you levels as such...once the thyroid gland malfunctions and doesnt produce enough, it isnt stored,thats why it has to be taken on a daily basis.Its normally a life long treatment.

hi

i have been hypo for about 2 years and i started with borderline results. your GP should reduce the dosage and retest instead of taking you off altogether as it could cause a hormone crash. i was reduced from 100 to 50 and then from 50 to 25 and 25 is fine for me for the time being AFAIK when hypo it is important to have your levels monitored at least every 3-6 months for the first year to ensure things are stable. i would re-visit the GP and ask him if he would consider reducing the thyroxine for a few months and see if that stablises your TFTs

HTH

It usually takes a while for them to work out thyroxine doses to get you feeling right. I would go and see your GP and talk about reducing the amount gradually combined with further blood tests to get the level right.

It's a good idea during this time to keep a record of your symptoms, as the ranges are a guide, and it should also go on how you are feeling.

sy, the wheat connection is that gluten in wheat causes malabsorption of nutrients. Providing nutrients/vits doesn't usually work if combined with wheat, so the intake absorption (found out the hard way with ds).

eg here

thats an interesting link to make there nightcat i have wondered about my wheat tolerance for a while now and had no idea it could effect things quite that much the reason i wonder is i have very bad skin on the underside of my jaw and it gets ALOT worse whenever i eat alot of foods containing wheat (pasta and bread etc) i remember watching something on a medical programme that said this is a symptom of wheat intolerance which got me thinking but i have never looked any further than that really