I had Hyperthyroid symptoms but my blood test said Hypothyroid

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I have another blood test booked in in 2 weeks. I had no idea that I shouldn't take my medication before the test so thank you for letting me know. 

Do you think the weightgain is just a symptom of the Hypothyroidism rather than the medication (even though it started after I was taking the medication)?

Yes I do think the weight gain is likely to be due to hypothyroidism. The only way to be sure is to get a blood test.  Don't be concerned about the scare stories for levethyroxine - it works for 85% of people.  I am one of the people for whom it didn't work - my own pet theory is that it doesn't work very well for people whose thyroid is completely broken or has been taken out by surgery. If this is true, it is likely it will work for you.  I think it's likely that the people for whom levothryoxine works aren't likely to be posting on this site - they are off enjoying life.

Thank you. You have made me feel so much better. It difficult not to read into some of the things on forums.

I'm sorry to hear you have trouble with it.

Thanks again

Thank you Shelly,

I really appreciate your reply. There is so much misinformation and scaremongering on the internet surrounding thyroid desiese, it's really difficult to know what is right and wrong.

I have a blood test in two weeks so I will keep you all posted.

In the UK I'm not sure how easy it is to get a mineral panel but I will ask as it makes sense to find out if I need a boost in something else.

I was tested for hashimotos but the test implied I didn't have it. Is it worth at a later date asking to have my antibodies checked again?

Thyroid desiese runs in my family - well graves desiese does, but know one that I know of has hashimotos. Would my family having graves desiese increase the chances of me having hashimotos?

Thanks again,

Anna

Anna, there are two tests that need to be done to test for hashimotos. These are TPOA and TgAb. Ask your doctor if they tested using these.

Hello Anna:

Graves is Hashimoto's counter-part.  Graves and Hashi's are both autoimmune and run in families.

TPOA and TGab tests and ESR (sed. rate) tests all can tell any autoimmune disease in the body.  I would ask for them next time you see your Endocrinologist, and explain that you have Graves disease in your family.  I would ask for it again and in UK maybe your Endocrinologist may have to order the above tests.

A mineral panel is done by any GP and is fairly common.  It is good to ask for it. All of these are considered routine but as they say "the squeaky wheel gets the grease", so ask for it.  All they can do is say no.  Many of the ladies in the UK can get this blood work done.

Keep us posted we care how you do,

Shelly

Hi Shelly

I just got tested and had TSH just over 7. I started on 25mg of Levo. The doctor didn't test for T3 or T4. I had also asked her to test me for B12 as my mother and grandma who also have hypothyroidism has B12 deficiency. The doctor said because I'm 27 I'm too young to have B12 deficiency but I let her know my eating habits are bad where I don't think I'm getting the proper B12 nutrients from my diet. She said my levels would still be ok.

Thoughts on this? Also is 25mg normal to start for being in the 7 range for TSH. It's not too much above the average (4 something?) but I knew something was wrong and asked for a blood test as I hadn't had any energy over the past few weeks.

Hello Libbilu:

Many of us with Hypothyroid problems  regardless  of age can have low B12.  It is wise to have it checked.  I did have low B12 at age 25.  Back then you had to get B12 injections.

25mcg of Levo is a starter dose and next dose up is 50mcg, then 75mcg, then 100mcg.

Normal TSH is 0.45 to 4.50 and high end or above that is Hypo and low end is Hyper.  So 7 is high and you are low in thyroxine.  Levo will replace that.

You can buy B12 tablets now in a pharmacy and it may be worth a try to see if you get more energy from it.  You also need Ferrritin which is a component of Iron and it needs to be 70+ so a good multivitamin with iron will be a good idea.  Take any vitamins with food and never take Levo with food.  Food will block Levo from working so wait 1 hour before eating after you take your Levo.

Any questions, just ask,

Shelly

Good advice Shelley, I'd like to add: it's best to take the multivitamin 4+ hours after taking levothyroxine.

Hello Barbara

Spacing meds and vitamins is very important and I agree 100% .

XO, Shelly

Hello Anna:

It is Nurse Shelly here, let me explain your lab work.

TSH should be between 0.45 to 4.20 and most doctor's like it between 1.0 to 2.5 or so.  So yes it will take a bit of time like 6 to 8 weeks and should come down more on 50mcg of levo.

Ferritin:  Is a component of Iron and is needed to make LEVO work well. You need it to be 70+ to make Levo work well.  So on paper it may be within range but you need a vitamin with Iron or Iron supplement.  This is very important.  So you can buy a Multivitamin with Iron and take it everyday.  Please ask your doctor if you are able to take iron.

TSH ab receptor is antibodies test, there are a few of them, and it is okay

TPOA is also called Serum Thyroid Perixodase Antibodies serum means blood and in the medical world it is called TPOA.

That is okay under 5 which is good.  You don't want that high as it would mean autoimmune disease!  SO that is good news also because it is to be lower than 34.

Serum Prolactin level is a hormone level secreted by the Pituitary gland and it looks to be okay. 

Regards,

Shelly

Thanks Shelly for explaining it all to me. So you think multi vitamin with iron would be beneficial?

Anna

Anna:

Most of us with thyroid disease need the Iron badly so YES it would help.  I take a women's multi-vitamin with IRON.  Yes, it will help.

Shelly