Increased Dosage

[Doris66]

I had a thyroidectomy (as a result of Graves disease and the anti-thyroid drugs not working) 5 years ago and have been stable on 100 mcg of levothyroxine ever since.  A month ago I had my annual blood test and my TSH was 6.49 and I was told to increase my dosage to 125 mcg.  I have had a very unusual amount of stress in the past 6 months and am having to commute 2 hours each way to work which I think has not helped at all. After two weeks on the higher dosage I couldn't function properly, 3 days of fogginess and then a very funny spell where I felt very drunk and light headed.  Consequently I cut back and only took the extra 25 mcg every other day as I thought I may have had too much thyroxine.  I am now feeling very tired some days and a couple of days ago had a whole day of not being 'with it'.  Should I increase dosage?  Did I not give it long enough to work, before panic-ing?  My daughter gets married next week and I really want to feel well for the wedding.  Any thoughts/help would be much appreciated.  I am not due a blood test for another 2 months.

[Doris66]

Update - Have had further bloods done and TSH is now 3.25 and have done as you advised and take 112 mcg a day - I have to cut one of the tablets in half!  I asked for T3 & T4 to be done but it wasn't, not very happy about this, but feeling much better.  I shall ask for another blood test in 3 months.  
Thank you, it is so good to know that there are people who can help each other on this forum.

[Doris66]

Thank you both for responding.  I was very low yesterday and called my doctor who has told me to have another blood test tomorrow and this time they will test for T3 and T4.  Unfortunately in the UK you cannot get a 12.5 mcg tablet maybe I should try cutting one in half but they are very small.

[Smilerdeb]

Try staying on 112mcg daily as if you alternate 25mcg, you are having a 'high' day then a 'low' day.
I found often the 12.5mcg does the trick instead of an extra 25mcg every 2nd day.
Also get yr labs done as 3 months is too long.
Usually with an increase of a T4 med...sometimes you may get a few sensations that you arent used too for about a week.
Its usually your body not used to the new dosage and it is adjusting.
I too would also get the FT3 and FT4 done as Laura says.

[laura1967]

2 months is too long to wait to check to see where you levels are at after increase. Your dr should have sent you back at 6 week mark.
The 25 mcg increase doesn't seem like a big jump. Maybe you didn't give it enough time.
My question is this: When was the last time you had a Free T3 test done and a Free T4 with your TSH??? Those are the actual thyroid hormones in your body.
TSH is a pituitary function test and should only be used "along" with the Free's.
Dosaging should be done by the free's.
You may not be converting properly and you could end up with hyper symptoms from too much T4, when you really need some T3 meds added as well.