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I have just found out that I have under active thyroids ...

Posted , 8 users are following.

Rifster
Rifster

.Hi all, 

I dont know much about under active thyroids but from what I have read about the symptoms I seem to have most of them. My doc has out me on levothyroxine tabs 25 mcg to start ... need to know how long it takes to get into my system to make me feel better. I have been on it for 2 weeks now. I feel worse with sore throat and muscle acing and feel really tired all the time. Always have that blotted feeling with pains around the stomach and chest area. To do a full day’s work is hard these days and I’m only 50. I need more info on the tabs and how long they take to start kicking in .... thanks. Rif

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • dave64969
    dave64969 Rifster

    Posted

    Rif, did your doc do a blood test to measure your TSH? That is normally the reason for your diagnosis.  As I recall, the normal range is 0.4 to 4 but check on the web.  High TSH means low thyroid and low TSH means high thyroid. It works in reverse.  Ask your doc what your TSH is.  It can take several weeks to see any change but if you are feeling measurably worse then it might be time to see the doc again. I am not a medical practitioner, just a fellow sufferer, and others on this site may have better advice.  Hang in there.
    • Rifster
      Rifster dave64969

      Posted

      cheers Dave. The blood test was a TPO and the doc says the normal level should be around 50 and mine was over by quiet abit around the 200 mark, whatever that means. I will go and see him again next week to see if 25 mcg tabs r ok or do I need a bigger dose ...lets see what happen.
    • shellyC19
      shellyC19 Rifster

      Posted

      Hello Rfister:

      TPOA is protein antibodies that attack the thyroid gland causing it to go bad. It is a way of diagnosing Hashimoto's which is what I have.  I have had it since 1987.  It is slow to happen and as long as you take the Levo it will help keep it in check.

      Any questions just ask.

      Shelly

  • shellyC19
    shellyC19 Rifster

    Posted

    Hello Rifster:

    My name is Shelly and I am a nurse in the USA.  I have Hashimoto's Thyroid disease since 1987.

    Levo is a replacemnt hormone and it can take 6 to 12 weeks to feel the symptoms subside.  You will have more blood work and they should measure your TSH (Thyroid stimulating Hormone) T4 level and also T3. 

    The thyroid makes 4 hormones and we need T3 Liothyronine and T4 Thyroxine at good levels.  25mcg is a starting dose and if you are still Hypo after new blood work in a few months,  the doctor can increase it to 50mcg.

    We get thyroid disease a few ways:

    1. Family trait in your DNA.

    2. Epstein -Barr virus  "MONO" can attack the gland

    3. Poor iodine in the diet

    4. Cancer, Lupus and Chemo therapy and other diseases that can bother the body.

    We need to take LEVO and all thyroid meds on an empty stomach and you must wait about 1 hour before eating!  Also see that your minerals and Vitamins are okay.

    You need blood work on Calcium, potassium, sodium, ferritin,  selenium, iron, magnesium and Vit D and B-12.  many people with thyroid disease are low in Vit D and B-12.  You need to ask for these blood tests as they are not always done routinely. Many minerals can be low and will effect how Levo works.

    Keep us posted and have nay questions, just ask.

    Regards, Shelly

     

    • Rifster
      Rifster shellyC19

      Posted

      hi Shelly, Hope yr well. I have been getting flu like symptoms for the past week or so and reg small headaches ... is that expected or not ?? Thanks Rif
    • shellyC19
      shellyC19 Rifster

      Posted

      Hello Rifster:

      Flu type symptoms like having a temp, and muscle aches can sometimes happen in an autoimmune problem like Hashimoto's and even Lupus.

      Lupus does that more, and you can get a test called "ESR"  Erythroocyte Sedimentation Rate  which will show inflammation in the body.  Sometimes Lupus can look like thyroid symptoms because they share some. Weight gain, headaches, muscle pains, and low grade temps, rash on face or chest..

      Hashimoto's can show the same symptoms .  Once a TPOA test is done you will know for sure.  Also have them check you blood glucose (sugar) level.  If it goes low or too high you can see headaches.

      Keep us posted.

      Shelly

    • Rifster
      Rifster shellyC19

      Posted

      Thanks Shelly. Another thing I have my tabelt in the morning around 30 mins before breakfast. I then eat porridge or tea and toast. Will the tab still work ok with this routine. After 2 weeks I still c no change in my symptoms.
  • alice79312
    alice79312 Rifster

    Posted

    Something that may help with the bloated feeling is cutting out gluten, it's recommended for a lot of autoimmune diseases (a TPO test is for Thyroid Peroxidase Antobodies, and as yours are high it means you have autoimmune hypothyroidism). It's much easier than it sounds and has made a huge difference for me, my mum and my aunt. You have to be strict though as even a little bit can stay in your system for months. Hope your Levo starts to kick in soon
  • carmel83758
    carmel83758 Rifster

    Posted

    Hope you feel better now, your doctor will probably increase the dose but taking SOME iodine - which is usually taken through kelp tablets such as spirulina, can h elp too, people will say dont take them because some take too much and get an overdose, but if you research and research you will piece together what is best for you. The feelings of pain around stomach etc sound like you need to get your gut flora right with biotics and prebiotics. I am 58 and going through a similar thing and it is a nightmare. Dont expect doctors to explain it and understand it all, often they just guess and get it wrong, so you need to take control and learn about it yourself.
    • sweetmelissa
      sweetmelissa carmel83758

      Posted

      Really?  That's good to know.  Thanks carmel!  I actually bought Spirulina ans chlorella, but I did some reading and found that iodine is okay only if you have hypothyroidism due to iodine difficency, and if you have hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's that it will actually hurt you more than help you.  But I have read mixed things about the subject.  I have spent alot of money for these and was scared to take them.  So this gives me alittle reasurance that it is okay to try them and see how it makes me feel.  Thanks Carmel!
  • melody93815
    melody93815 Rifster

    Posted

    Hi, I also have been on 25 of levy  2 week ago . Like you still getting loads of syptons when speaking to the doctor he says it can take 4 to 6 weeks The doctor also said at 6 weeks he will do another blood test. Looks like we have to be patient x
    • alice79312
      alice79312 melody93815

      Posted

      I've been on 25ug Levo for about eight weeks and have only started to notice a difference recently, so yes don't give up hope!
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