Hi. Was diagnosed with underactive thyroid a week ago & have been taking thyroxin for 6 days.

[timmysmom]

Can anyone tell me how long it should be before l start to feel better? My main problem is fatigue.

Thanks for your help.

[galathea]

Depends on several things, like how bad you were to start with and how much medication you are on. Your doctor should be monitoring you with blood tests and possibly a dose increase every 6 weeks.

You are aiming to get the tsh level below 1, so make sure you get your test results every time blood is taken.

How much thyroxine have you been prescribed?

G x

[timmysmom in reply to galathea]

Thanks Galathea, lm on 50mcg of Levo. My last test results were:

Antibody...216.6 THS...7.7 Free thyroxin index...12.2.

Im still learning what it all means.x

Timmysmom

[Jackie]

Hi It can take along time,usually considered best to start on a low dose, and 6-8 weekly blood tests, ideally TSH, T4 and Free T3, until dose makes the bloods right and you feel better. Both are important. Quite common to need a bit of T3 with the Levo ( T4) eventually If you still feel ill and the bloods show LOw FT3, then usually T3 is added.Also from the start ensure you have had iron/feritin tested, needs to be fairly high in range also vit D ( hormonal) if low, corrected calcium test before treatment with D, as it can push the calcium up a little. Then next B12 + foliates, high in range and Diabetes, both hormonal autoimmune. There are other tests.

Always ask for blood results + ranges from the receptionst. Keep them . Post on here if you wish.

Best wishes,

Jackie

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[timmysmom in reply to Jackie]

Thanks Jackie, wow there's alot more to it than l thort! Im on iron tabs already as lve been anemic for the past year or two. I also have low white b.cells which they think is has an automate cause. I don't think lve had those other blood tests you mentioned. It concerns me a little that its only my g.p dealing with it & not a specialist, is that normal?

[Jackie in reply to timmysmom]

Hi Make sure you iron is well in range, did you have a print out? Annual tests anyway. GP`s normally only treat below 10, too low. If that is the case, take a sachet of Spatone, Amazon, Endo`s preferred iron with it.Most people need an Endo if seriously ill with other things,but other wise stay with GP, unless do not feel better, you should once bloods are stable. if you do not, do not ask for an Endo referral without researching who is best. Like everything some good and some bad. GP`s often think they know about thyroid, as common, but as you are finding very complicated.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[Ansteynomad]

I've been on 75mcg levo for the last ten days, still gaining weight, basal body temperature still 36.1, now dizzy and suffering with eczema as well. I think it's going to be a long haul.

AN

[Jackie in reply to Ansteynomad]

Hi An, Temp not always a good symptom,, may be normal l0ow Temp. like me.However, frequent bloods and rises in treatment until stable is import, as the other tests I have mentioned. Often weight is related to FT3 being too low. In the body T4 when high enough, should convert to enough FT3, but often does not, you can only tell by the bloods, TSH, T4 and Free T3. So, that is why they are so imporant, Then if not converting enough, T3 also on a script, also lowers the TSh and helps other symptoms.

Best wishes,

Jackie

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timmysmum. I am not surprised that your doctor did not give you that information. What is it about some doctors that they don't explain everything about the conditions they have found, suspect or are treating. It never fails to amaze and annoy me.