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Underactive Thyroid

Posted , 7 users are following.

carmel83758
carmel83758

The doctor has at least acknowledged that I hve an underactive thyroid having taken blood test for nearly a year. He wanted to continue to take blood tests, I insisted he do more as I find the symptoms very difficult.

Have now started to take levothyroxine 25mg a day. The thing I cannot understand is that I felt much better when I took the first tablet but the day after felt awful again. It made me feel better for about six hours, I went to bed and went to sleep and when I woke up it was back to squre one. Is this normal?

2 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • jennifer90764
    jennifer90764 carmel83758

    Posted

    Hi Carmel.  The thyroxine has to build up in your body.  Don't expect to feel "normal" until you have found your level of required thyroxine.  25mcg is a very low starter dose and your doctor may well have to raise it gradually, hopefull until you are feeling well, but usually till you are "in range".  Be patient, you'll get there eventually.
    • carmel83758
      carmel83758 jennifer90764

      Posted

      Thank you Jennifer. Am trying to read up as much as I can about the subject, find it scary and complicated. I know it is a low dose just thought it odd that on the first day I felt so much better and then the day after zilch. Finding it hard to concentrate, be motivated, work and feel awful. I did read that you need more elenium so am eating more nuts. The thing about iodine is tricky, some say take more some say stay away. With an over active you must stay away.

      I rang the thyroid organisation and spoke to two of their supporters on the phone, both said totally different things and did not listen to how things are different with me.

  • jean34329
    jean34329 carmel83758

    Posted

    Hi Carmel183758

    I was interested in your posting particularly as you struggled to get the relevant blood tests to get the coorrec diagnosis.

    Which tests did your dr do?

    Can they order thyroid antibody testing?

    Kind regards

    Jeanx

    • shellyC19
      shellyC19 jean34329

      Posted

      Most doctros do run a panel of tests in the USA. This includes protein markers or sed rate tests for auto-immune problems like Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. It is good practice to check for it. They now know more about certain diseases and now test women for it.  Since they are drawing blood the doctor should check all minerals in the body as well. If it is okay, they rule out any condition related to it.  I think UK does it also.
    • carmel83758
      carmel83758 jean34329

      Posted

      Hi Jean, thanks for your reply.

      I am in England. I rea\lised I must have an underative thyroid about a year ago and told the doctor. He then arranged a blood test. He has dsone this regularly since then. But he would have just kept doing more tests. I had to insist he does more becuase I was feeling worse.

      He just does a basic blood test. If I want more I hve to go to a specialist.

  • barbara98940
    barbara98940 carmel83758

    Posted

    It's also a good idea to get Ferritin checked. Endocrinologist told me that if Ferritin was below 50, thyroxine doesn't get absorbed properly.
    • jean34329
      jean34329 barbara98940

      Posted

      Hi Barbara

      I rplied but my reply does not appear to be up on the website.

      Thanks for the info re the ferratin level. Do you know if a ferritin level goes down due to a thyroid disorder?

       

    • shellyC19
      shellyC19 jean34329

      Posted

      Jean, yes, thyroid patients can also be low in iron and Vit D. It is common to happen, our bodies need all minerals in the body to be at normal levels. This includes, iron, magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, and blood glucose. 

      For some reason, women tend to develop low Vit D and it leads to Osetoporosis and brittle bones, and thyroid patients have a greater imbalance than a non-thyroid person.  It can be replaced by taking Vit D.

  • shellyC19
    shellyC19 carmel83758

    Posted

    Hello Carmel,  I am an RN and I live in the USA.  I can tell you that the dose you are on is a starting point. It takes the body a bit of time to develop a level and it varies in all of us.  Your doctor will need to check your blood levels and if the level is low he may have to up it.  All meds take a time to build a proper level and this is no different. It is a good idea to log down any symptoms that  do not improve.

    Other blood work should also be looked at, for example:

    1. Vit D level in the body

    2. Iron level, Potassium, sodium levels

    3. Blood glucose

    4. T 3 &  T 4  levels along with TSH level.

    5. Lupus & Rheumatoid Arthritis markers.

    There is no quick fix, but your body will respond to the medication and just give it some time.  Many of us have low Vit D levels and that can cause muscle aches, brittle bones, and lead to osteoporosis. I hope thsi helps.

     

    • jean34329
      jean34329 shellyC19

      Posted

      Dear shellyC19

      I am awaiting an appt with endo surgeon and endo pyasician for multinodular goitre.

      Do you know how often bloosd checks should be carried out following a diagnosis?

      What are the expe cted tests after diagnosis with multinodular goitre?

      I had a ctpa sxcan for ecusion of a pulmonary embiolism and the goitre showed up as an incidental finding.

      Thanks

      Jean

    • carmel83758
      carmel83758 shellyC19

      Posted

      Thanks SHelly. It is all different in UK. You cannot demand tests, you get what you are given whic his basic.

      I am sure my iron, potasium, sodium and vitam d are good. It is only day three of taking the medicine so here is hoping I feel better properly soon.

    • shellyC19
      shellyC19 jean34329

      Posted

      Hello Jean:  Well since you have the nodules and a Goiter, T3 & T4  & TSH levels should be tested. Antibodies protein Marker test, sed rate test, CBC, mineral panels and VIT D, B-12.  All of this is done via blood draws. Expect 4-5 vials but it is well worth it.   if goiter causes difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, a feeling of choking, they most likely will take  them out.   If they are benign - they may opt. to leave it alone.  you should have an ultrasound if they leave the nodules in at least once a year.  they grow slow, but can in some people cause cancer.  I hope this helps.
    • carmel83758
      carmel83758 shellyC19

      Posted

      It is all different in the UK. I know I am fine with vitamin d a\s i take it every day. You cannot demand tests here on nhs. They do just one test through the doctor.

      I have been taking 25 mg of thryoxine and gradually feeling worse and worse and have had to stop taking it.

  • jean34329
    jean34329 carmel83758

    Posted

    Carmel

    Are you under an endocrinologist or your GP for your underactive thyroid?

    I have been told that thyroid disorder can swing from hypo to hyper.

    I find all this very confusing.

    What signs and symptoms did you first notice that made you go to your doctor?

     

    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 jean34329

      Posted

      Jean, from what I've been reading on this forum, it's Hashimoto's thyroid disease that swings between under and over active, before eventually settling on underactive (do check this though). There are other forms of thyroid disease, I think, that don't oscilate like this.
    • jean34329
      jean34329 barbara98940

      Posted

      Hi Barbara

      Thanks for this info. I agree withyou because that was my understandin as well. I have been misinformed by an endocrinological nurse .

      I am still trying to sus out which blood tests I should be having as I want a proper full thyroid screening .

      Jean x

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