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I've recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism,will I ever feel better????

Posted , 5 users are following.

gill3510
gill3510

Hi,,I am new to the thread  and 49 years old.After 4 months of feeling so ill ,I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism.I have just started to read about my illness and I really need advise about my condition because at the moment I am suffering with so many symptoms I feel my health is never going to get back on track.I have just been prescribed 50mg of levothyroxine sodium daily and have been taking the medication for the last 2 weeks.At the moment my symptoms include lethargy,groin pain,left side upper abdominal pain,pins and needles,tightness in my throat,dry hair and skin,eyebrow loss and muscle and back pain.A few times a week I have a feeling of dizziness and nausea which can last up to approx 1-2 hours.I am currently on sick leave from work and have been for the last 3 weeks. My G.P is currently in the process of monitoring my dosage of medication. I feel as though I am never going to get any relief from these dreadful symptoms.I long to wake up feeling refreshed with no pain,is it ever going to happen? I am desperate to get back to work also.Any advise would be much appreciated just to put my mind at rest. Anxiety is making my condition worse and I need to feel there will be light at the end of the tunnel.Help and advise would be so much appreciated and thanks for reading about my experiences with this horrible disease

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • shellyC19
    shellyC19 gill3510

    Posted

    Hello Gill:

    My name is Shelly I am a nurse in the USA.  I have Hashimotos Thyroid disease since 1987. I am 55.

    Yes, you can live a good life once you are stablized.  When you first start Levo, you will not notice a change for about 6 weeks.  It can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks to build a proper level.  It is slow for the body to build up.

    Symptoms should decrease and you may feel much better by 4 weeks out.  Make sure you do not eat for 1 hour after taking Levo.  Food will block the medication.

    If you take vitamins make sure you take them 4 hours after Levo, and you need good Ferritin to make Levo work.  Ferritin is a component of Iron.  The level has to be 70+ to help Levo work.

    Do some mild exercise to help keep healthy.  It helps to eat good food and avoid all gluten.  Gluten bothers the bowels and the thyroid. 

    Many of us are low in B-12 and B1 and Iron and vit D with Hypothyroidsm.  I take a good multivitamin with Iron and extra Vit D am low in it.

    6 to 8 weeks out they may draw blood again and see your TSH level T4 level and T3 level and adjust your dose of Levo.  Most people are on 75mcg to 150mcg.

    If you have  any questions, just ask.

    Shelly

    • gill3510
      gill3510 shellyC19

      Posted

      Hi Shelley.Thanks for taking time out to reply to my post.It seems from the advise you have given me,I really need to be a little more patient with my medication and not expect my symptoms to disappear overnight.Having only just being diagnosed with hypo,I am still only just accepting the massive changes hypo has made to my life.I have taken your advise on board and thanks again for your great help.
  • lia32714
    lia32714 gill3510

    Posted

    Hi Gill,

    I had been feeling ill for about 18 months, if not longer looking back,and was diagnosed with hypo a couple of weeks ago.

    After having my blood tests and ultrasounds, my GP referred me to an endocrinologist. He put me straight on to 125mg levothyroxine. He also put me on 50mg selenium to help with metabolism.

    I am now on day 6 and my bloods will be checked on 5th August for thyroid again along with the following: Vit D3, creatinine, potassium, sodium, calcitonin, along with bone scan MOC (DEXA) lumbar and femoral - to check for osteoporosis. (I am 54)

    Although I can't say all my symptoms have dissipated, my throat has starred to feel better, I have already lost 3.7kg and I have slightly more energy. My muscle aches have gone, but the insomnia remains!

    Brazil nuts are good for hair growth as are chicken, salmon, trout and eggs.

    Avoid broccoli and cauliflower as they aren't good for thyroid function.

    Hope this helps.

    Lia

    • gill3510
      gill3510 lia32714

      Posted

      Hi lia.Thanks for your help and sharing your experiences with hypo with me.I too have just had an ultrasound scan and I am awaiting my results.I am exercising regularly and I do take care with my diet,even though I have gained weight.You mentioned your GP referred you to an endocrinologist,which seems to have been really beneficial to you.I will discuss this my GP to see if maybe I would benefit too.I am glad to hear your are starting to get some relief from your symptoms and I can totally understand what you are going through.Thanks again for your help,much appreciated....Gill x
  • mary59914
    mary59914 gill3510

    Posted

    I think the most frustrating thing is that it takes so long for the meds to make an effect. I've been on sick leave since January and feel at this stage that levothyroxine isn't the right treatment for me. I've started looking at diet (cutting out gluten and eating more fresh fruit and veggies, also grounding pumpkin, linseed, chia, etc seeds and putting this on salads) which I find helps alot. Also I've started seeing a TCM practitioner and find it really helps. I'm still taking levo but don't focus on it as it being the only thing which can heal me. I've also made an appointment with a homeopath. I'm also changing my dr as feel I've spent months reducing and increasing and reducing dosage...and on my last visit he told me to see a psy to help me deal with accepting the side effects with levo (heart palpitations, hand tremors, anxiety attacks).

    It's very hard as you can end up feeling so alone as the illness isn't visible. Hang in there. Most ppl will find an improvement soon enough.

     

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