Under active thyroid and Levothyroxiene dose too high

[LHMB]

I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid in 2003, after my son was born. A few months ago my dose of Levothyroxiene was increased from 75mg to 100mg. I moved to a new area in January and when I registered with a new surgery, the GP asked me to get a blood test done to check my thyroid. Went on Friday for the results and she said they’re over treating it and my dose is too high. She hasn’t reduced it though, just told me to go back in a month for another blood test. Was wondering if having the dose too high can cause any symptoms as I’ve had a few that seem to be down to it according to Google

When my dose was too high and my tsh had gone overactive I felt dreadful. Really tired, shaking internally, palpitations and just generally like death warmed up.

Just over a year ago my dose was too high and I was having palpitations, rapid heart beat, weight loss, fatigue,anxiety and going for a poo frequently! Since having my dose lowered those symptoms went but I'm now having symptoms of my dose being too low. Dr said my results are fine though. I just need to find a gp who will take notice of how I feel rather than the numbers

Hi, thanks for your replies. I’m getting a lot of palpitations, headaches, stomach ache and feeling a lot hotter then usual, struggling to sleep as well. I suffer from anxiety anyway but it does seem worse then usual as well at the moment

Ideally, the GP should test all of your thyroid levels to determine what might be amiss here. This should include FT4, FT3, TSH and thyroid antibodies.

Do you know why you were hypothyroid originally?

What were your blood test results?

Sometimes, people don't convert the Levo (which is T4) into the active thyroid hormone (T3) very well and the T4 ends up being too high and giving unpleasant side effects, without the tissues in your body actually having enough of the active T3.

Has the GP also tested your ferritin, B12, Vit D and folate?

Hi, no I don’t know what caused me to have an under active thyroid and as far as I’m aware they didn’t test anything other then my thyroid, although when I last had it checked at the surgery I used to be at, they checked my iron and my kidney and liver function, plus other things and said everything was fine

One of the most common reasons for being hypothyroid is having an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto's. Very basically and somewhat simplified, this is a bit like type one diabetes, except your thyroid gland is the subject of the attack (rather than your pancreas). If your thyroid antibodies have been tested at any point and they came back positive, that means you have the autoimmune condition and that is why you are hypothyroid.

If you have Hashi's, you can get fluctuating levels of thyroid hormone depending on whether or not your thyroid gland is being attacked by the antibodies and this can result in feelings of both over and under treatment.

It may be helpful for you to know if your thyroid antibodies have been tested and whether or not they were positive.

Thank you, that’s interesting, I never knew that. Since being prescribed the Levothyroxiene in 2003, my body can’t seem to regulate temperature properly, I get very hot very easily and have hot sweats, but I also get very cold easily too. Most of the time I’m either feeling too hot or too cold.

Just over a year ago my dose was too high and I was having palpitations, rapid heart beat, weight loss, fatigue,anxiety and going for a poo frequently!

Same here - I felt that I’d tipped over into hyperthyroidism.

LHMB the whole thyroid gland and feedback loop is quite a complex and involves the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands as well.

I always think it is a great shame that GPs rarely take the time to explain to a patient why they are hypothyroid.

I hope you get the chance to ask why (and get an answer) and that you can ensure that the full repertoire of tests are being done to ensure that you are managed properly.

ThyroidUK.org and TPAUK.com are websites you could have a look at if you would like further information about your condition.

Thank you, when I go back I’ll ask about it. Thank you for the information