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Please could I have some advice as I am new to this group and condition

Posted , 6 users are following.

Gizmo1963
Gizmo1963

Hi all, I am a newbie and have finally been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Many of my tests have come back over the past year with various results but I do have nearly all of the symptoms. Prob is though I also have osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, high BP and cholesterol. My recent blood test was TSH 7.9 and T4 13.2. The week before was TSH 5.22 and t4 11.2. I have been started on a dose of 25mg but it makes me feel dizzy - is this normal to begin with? Also do I need a scan? Do I need to see an endocrinologist? Are there things I shouldn't eat or drink? My GP has assumed I understand thyroid problems but this is all new to me. I would very much appreciate your help. Thanks 😊 

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • christine1956
    christine1956 Gizmo1963

    Posted

    HI

    I AM A NEW TO THE SITE AND STILL FINDING MY FEET BUT IN THE PAST FEW DAYS I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH AND HAVE FOUND OUT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD WHO FEELS SO BAD, THAT, IN ITSELF, HAS MADE ME FEEL BETTER.

    WISH YOU WELL

    • Gizmo1963
      Gizmo1963 christine1956

      Posted

      Hi Christine, lovely to hear you are finding the help you need as its horrible to have a condition that you don't really know anything about. Unfortunately I have posted two messages in this subject asking for help and advice but nobody has responded to me which has made me feel very low

      Maybe someone will give me advice but meanwhile I've used a Facebook thyroid site and the people there have been very supportive and helpful so not so down today. What were your thyroid results? I wish you well and send hugs x

    • christine1956
      christine1956 Gizmo1963

      Posted

      Hi

      You are more informed than me I didn't know I had to find out my results so you have helped me today, thank you :-)

  • yorkrose
    yorkrose Gizmo1963

    Posted

    To be fair I dont think a GP would have the time to explain it all.

    25mg is the lowest dose available and it is probable that you will need to take a higher dose in the not too distant future. If it is making you dizzy try taking it at bedtime instead of the morning then you will be asleep or lying in bed so the dizziness will be more manageable.

    The best way to find out about Thyroid problems is to take responsibility for yourself and do your own research, there is alot out there, some is easy to understand some is not but you will find the sites that answer your questions in the way that you can understand.

    As for eating and drinking, a well balanced diet is sufficient and this will also help to lower your cholestral and blood pressure.Could it be the high blood pressure that is causing your dizziness?.

    Keep persevering and do things one step at a time and as you sort out each problem it will probably help the other things improve, sometimes it is hard to see the wood for the trees and step by step is the easiest way.

    I wish you look in your research, I have made a folder on my desktop and put all the info that I find useful into it.  You can look back at it when you want to, as we all know the memory and retaining info is very difficult when the Thyroid is poorly.

     

  • yorkrose
    yorkrose Gizmo1963

    Posted

    The British Thyroid Association is a useful site.
    • Gizmo1963
      Gizmo1963 yorkrose

      Posted

      Thank you Yorktose for recommending a good site for me to use. I am, and have been extremely clued up on any illnesses and conditions that I have. The problem now has been memory and concentration related hence me asking for help in understanding my thyroid condition. The websites I had been to all seem to vary and I started to feel extremely stressed. I am also menopausal so it really has been one thing on top of another. Whereas I am a responsible person, I needed a little help which I am sure you can understand. Thank you
    • yorkrose
      yorkrose Gizmo1963

      Posted

      Hi Gizmo, I know the feeling my memory and concentration were terrible and I am also going through the menopause.I bet you need a higher dose of thyroxine, as soon as I started to take it my brain fog cleared up almost straight away.

      I find it helps if you take someone else to the GP when you go, they can help you to get things across as if you are anything like me you get out of the surgery and remember someting you wanted to ask, also the doctors seem to do more for you when there is someone else there, and don`t fob you off so readily.

      I have found that the female doctor at our surgery is more understanding but this isn`t always the case.

      Do you get insomnia too? It drives me mad I am so tired but can`t sleep, my Doc gave me some strong antihistamines to make me sleepy these are not addictive like sleeping pills.

  • helsbells15
    helsbells15 Gizmo1963

    Posted

    Hi Gismo,

    this is site is quite useful althought I think you may benefit from a specific thyroid website and forum, you can talk to thyroid support uk, they are very good and it is where I found myself asking questions I few years ago now.

    In answer to your dizzy question.  Yes I got the same every time I had a dose change and It does tend to stop after a few weeks, in some cases it worth cutting the tablet in half for a week and then the week after take the full tablet and see if that helps.

    Also as you are new to the tablets, brand can play a part in things. Make a note of the brand you get as they all are a little different and you may find that a different brand is less harsh and works out better for you.  I would give it a month or so before you make any changes it takes 6 weeks for any real changes to start to take effect.

    It does depend on your levels remember to talk to your doctor about how you feel and get copies of your blood test results these can then be used in discussions with group members who can offer you support and guidance.  Also I would not chop and change the time you take the tablet until you have give them a chance for a few weeks.  I did take them a night in the beginning but now that I have got my dose correct I have switch back to daytime, it is all about finding out what is best for you.  The rules are really guidelines and this is going to be a very big learning curve for you.  The webisites out there really do help even it it is just to have a winge and a moan there is nearly alway someone who can help.    I wish you luck and have a quick look at thyroid support uk they are a good bunch.

     

    • Gizmo1963
      Gizmo1963 helsbells15

      Posted

      Hi Hellsbells thanks very much for your help - I was having a very stressful day and everything was getting on top of me. Wow there is a huge amount of info to be learnt regarding the thyroid it is all quite daunting to begin with and will take time to fully understand. Yes I found a discussion group on FB which replied to me so quickly and have given me many links and a advice which has been wonderful. Yes I have kept copies of all my blood tests and I will keep a note of any brands I am tried on. My gp advised me to go on 25 mcg of levothyroxine and see her in two weeks but this was in a 2 minute telephone call and as I am on other drugs I had to research when to take this and if it would interreact with any of my other meds. May I ask you how long it took for you to be put on the correct dosage and also if it help with losing weight as I have put on over 3 stone. Also did you need to see an endocrinologist? Thanks for your help
  • helsbells15
    helsbells15 Gizmo1963

    Posted

    Have a look at the thyroid support uk they have a forum on health unlocked, my knowledge is really basic and I have just learned from ask questions of forums and have only ask ones related to me so I have some knowledge but not loads,  I am still not 100% and have not lost any of the wieght that I have put on which is 3 stone, so I know how you feel completely it can be heart breaking however health first weight second.  I cant do exercise until i get my thyroid sorted out as if I do too much I get over fatigued.   So two years on,  I am much better less time off work and have onlyjust found out that my vitb12 and vit d were mega low without good level of these it makes it harder for you to get better.  So I am working on these at the moment and ever hopeful that in 6 months I will feel much better.

    Let me know what you think of Thyroid Support Uk Forum, I have found it the best out of all of them for help there are some really knowledgable people of all ages and will a miriad of other conditions too that shed light on things.   I would really give it 3 months and your second blood test after takeing the levo before you really know how things are progressing I am not sure that you are allowed to put up test results on here, I know you can on the other forum I mentioned.

  • helsbells15
    helsbells15 Gizmo1963

    Posted

    Just a quick extra thought speak to your chemist regarding the tablets they normally have more time than the GP and can raise issues which you can then follow up with the gp, I know that my gp did not know about taking Vit D with Added Calcium away from the Levo Throxine.

    I try to take my levo 6 am and go back to bed or do something else for an hour before I eat and try not take other tablets within a few hours.  You could take it before bed if taking it the day is too close to you other meds.

  • yorkrose
    yorkrose Gizmo1963

    Posted

    Also I don`t know if you realise you can get free prescriptions now you are on thyroid meds, my doctor didnt tell me, heard it from someone else.

    Get a form from the doctor and then you will get a card.

    • Gizmo1963
      Gizmo1963 yorkrose

      Posted

      Yes I already receive free prescriptions due to a further life long illness I have but appreciate you telling me this.
  • amy26681
    amy26681 Gizmo1963

    Posted

    Hey there! I was diagnosed in January with hypothyroidism and Hashimotos!  Its all very overwhelming and with lots of other things going on I am still battling my doctor for more tests to try and get to the bottom of what is wrong with me!  They will have started you on a low dose and will gradually raise the dose to one that suits you but make sure every time you have a blood test you ask for the actual results from the doctor so you can keep a check of it yourself so you know when you feel well in yourself, you know what level your TSH should be at!  I only know this because I have a friend who has hypo and when she feels unwell, she gets her bloods checked and if they aren't at the level she normally feels well at, she gets her meds changed!  I have been advised about a paleo diet but being a vege its not a option for me but something you may be interested in looking in to.  Or even the gluten free diet and I have been told to stay away from soy! If your doctor isn't clued up on thyroid then ask to see another doctor who is, or be referred to see an endocrinologist! We need to speak to specialists who can advise us properly in order to live as best we can! Hope you feel better soon!
  • Asherl
    Asherl Gizmo1963

    Posted

    Hi, I was diagnosed hypo 5 weeks am really confused about all of the information I've been reading thankfully I have a great Dr who listens to me so am going back before my next blood test to ask her about the free T3 and T4 tests.... Up to now on levo I don't feel any different but I realise it can take months..... Xx
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