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Just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism

Posted , 10 users are following.

jacinta1207
jacinta1207

having been exhausted, light headed, lack of concentration, i phoned GP and suggested I had under active thyroid as about 25 years ago, had similar symptoms but the thyroid settled down.  Never forgot that tiredness.  Have started in 50mg Levothyroxine for 1 week, then 100mg every second day for a week, then 100mg after that.   GP said I would notice difference in a week so I was expecting miracles.  Had awful day yesterday, took to bed and felt so down and so tired. I do lots of long cycles and have done some but not more than 2 hours. F Have big event, 140km, including going up a mountain and I really don't know if I will be OK. I did 50km ride 2 days ago and was fine but was dizzy for rest of day.  How did you guys feel once you started treatment.  Oooh, After day 5, I took 100mg (2 days early).  Any views.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • sweetmelissa
    sweetmelissa jacinta1207

    Posted

    Your GP said that you would notice a difference in a week?  I have never heard it take that quick, but I may be wrong.   I believe the average time for someone to start feeling better on meds for hypothyroidism is about 8 to 12 weeks.  Not 1 week.  In my own experience... I didn't start feeling better until around 12 to 14 weeks.  It can take some time for the medicine to build up in your system and for your body to get adjusted.  Be patient though.. it will happen.  It's definitely worth the wait.  I feel so, so much better.  So, hang in there! 
  • melody93815
    melody93815 jacinta1207

    Posted

    What were ths level? In England they normaly start you on 25 and build up slowly Has the levey is a hormone and very powerfu.  Hope your feeling better thoul
  • Tutu123
    Tutu123 jacinta1207

    Posted

    Feeling better after one week is a bit ambitious - it can take 8-12 weeks to feel better. It took me about 7 weeks to start feeling a difference in a change of dose. As someone mentioned below it seems like quite a high starting dose (speaking from personal experience where I have been massively over-medicated for years), but depends a lot on what your blood results showed
  • rabiah15342
    rabiah15342 jacinta1207

    Posted

    Hi,  Hope your journey on this path of reaching and maintaining the right levels of hormones is successful. 

    Regarding the reaction to the medication:- 

    Do keep in mind we all have different tolerance levels, so feeling better within one week of treatment shouldn't be totally ruled out.

    All the best!

  • lisa326
    lisa326 jacinta1207

    Posted

    Took me a few months....looking back i didnt realise just how ill id felt,couldnt believe i was functioning Like that,But...My energy is used up alot quicker so i have to pace myself.....häng on in there.
  • jacinta1207
    jacinta1207

    Posted

    Oh thank you so much for replying.  I have read some horror stories and it really has depressed me but your replies give me some hope.  I have no idea what my results were.  I didn't even see my GP as couldn't get an appointment for weeks and I'm not the most patient person!  I just spoke to him on the phone.  He is going to call me in a couple of weeks.  I was thinking of asking him to refer me to an endorinologist to get a bigger picture.  Would you guys recommend that?  I'm thinking of doing the cycle at the weekend but I still haven't fully made up my mind.  I'm just afraid of getting dizzy and not being able to cycle.  It is all very new to me.  I sure hope this bloody brain fog improves too.  I'm seriously worried I won't be able to do my job properly too. 
    • rabiah15342
      rabiah15342 jacinta1207

      Posted

      Hi - An Endocrinologist is the right specialist to see.  The dizziness could be attributed to low blood pressure (My previous experience).  The brain fog could be something else.  But you'll only feel at ease once you've spoken to a specialist of course.

      Low Vitamin D and C seem to be a side effect of hypothyrodism.  I have started taking a multivitamin and seem to gradually feel better - less tired.

      Do take good care.

    • Noddydog
      Noddydog jacinta1207

      Posted

      I have been managing my borderline UAT for nearly 10 years with Viatamins,Mineral and Kelp. The last two blood tests show above borderline and the need to go on to Thyroxine. I have been reluctant as I have virtually no UAT symtoms  and like you have read the horror stories. My lovely GP understands how worried I am about going on Thyroxine so she is referring me to an Endocrinologist, without me having to ask. At least myself and my husband can talk it all through with them, as he doesn't really want me to take medication unless I really need it. 
  • shellyC19
    shellyC19 jacinta1207

    Posted

    Hello  Jacinta:

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

    It takes the body 6 to 12 weeks to build a proper level. Our bodies are slow. Some of the medication is excreted via urine and feces and it has to build upon the half life of the prior dose.  This can take a while.  One week is not enough time sadly.

    Do take your med without food as food can block the med.  Wait 1 hour before eating.

    You  will need more blood in a few months to see your level and stay away from Gluten as it bothers the thyroid.

    Once you are stable you will feel less tired.  Eat healthy and avoid high carbs. High carbs zap energy. Take a multi-vitamin as you need iron and ferritin to be at good levels for Levo to work. Take a vitamin with food.

    Any questions just ask,

    Shelly

     

  • barbara98940
    barbara98940 jacinta1207

    Posted

    You mqy wish to explorw whether there are any vitamin or mineral deficiencies that may be contributing to the tiredness. There are two ways to do this. Either wait for 12 weeks and see if the thyroxine fixes them. Or ask doctor to test them via blood tests. I'm thinking of iron, Ferritin (needs to be 70+), vitamin B12, and vitamin D.
    • jacinta1207
      jacinta1207 barbara98940

      Posted

      I did see the Endorinologist.  He had the blood results from my GP.  He said no diabetes, kidneys and liver OK.  He gave me a shot of Vitamin B12 - don't know what the figure was.  My TSH was 77.  He did more bloods and arranged for a repeat 4 weeks later and see him a week after that.  It's a long time to wait!!!  I'm on 100mcg Levothyroxine.  I've had lots of different things happening now - got over the crying - hope that doesn't come back!!  My left arm and leg have pins and needles and leg is a bit numb and achy.  Just wish it would go away.  Any ideas welcome.
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 jacinta1207

      Posted

      You could try splitting the dose in half so you are taking 50mcg in the morning (an hour before food) and 50mcg in the evening (4 hours after food).

      It is ok to chop the thyroxine tablets up. So if you have a 100mcg tablet, cut it in half and take half in the morning, half at night. It doesn't matter if it's not exactly in half.

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