Hi I'm new I have been diagnosed with a under active thyroid and been given levothyroxine was told to come back in 3 months for a blood

[emmaLC]

Test and was sent on my way

Can anyone please fill in the missing blanks

[Ansteynomad]

Welcome to our world! You'll find everyone on here very helpful and understanding - we've all been there in one way or another.

So, what do you want to know?

Have you been told anything at all?

How much levothyroxine have you been given?

Do you have your test results?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Welcome.

You would probably find having a read around the main Thyroid UK website worthwhile. E.g. start here:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Rod

[emmaLC]

Thank you rod and I've been told nothing she had given me 25mg and I don't know what my test results are I just went to the Drs coz I can't stay awake during the day, tired all the time, pain in the joints, I'm also a type 1 diabetic and thought my number was up I've got 3 kiddies to look after and I've been really worried

[Moggie]

Welcome aboard.

I'll start with the basics, like how to take your meds and what you should and shouldn't be asking your GP.

Thyroid medication needs to be kept, at least, two hours away from all food, drink (except water) and other meds as it needs an empty stomach for your body to be able to absorb it properly. Because of this some people find it suits them better to take their meds last thing at night, making sure you haven't eaten for two hours before, with water. If you are taking anythig with calcium (including milk) or iron in it then these need to be kept four hours away from thyroid medication.

A lot of thyroid suffers find that they are low in certain vitamins and these vitamins are crucial for your body to be able use your thyroid medication properly. Ask your GP to test your VitD, iron, Ferritin (iron that your body has stored), B12 and folates as if any of these are low your thyroid medication will be struggling to work.

You also need to get into the habit of asking your GP for copies of ALL your blood results, firstly so that you can keep an eye on whats going on for yourself and checking that your GP is doing the right thing and secondly so that you can post the results on here for people to advise and comment.

Any questions just shout.

Just a little tip when using this site - if you want to answer a certain comment then use the "reply to this" button at the bottom of the person comment and they will get an email to say you have answered them. It stops people missing replies.

Moggie x

[shaws Administrator]

Always get a copy of your blood test results with the ranges, for your own records and you can post them if you have a query.

25mcg is a small dose and I would have expected your GP to do another blood test in abou 6 weeks and raise your dose by 25mcg. They should gradually raise your meds until you feel better. After about 6 weeks and if you're not feeling well make an appointment to have another blood test. We have to be a bit pushy sometimes as you say you have to look after young children who are dependent upon you.

[emmaLC]

Thank you for all your replies I will defo be going back thanks

[Elaines]

Hi there, you sound just like me about 10 months ago. I saw a relief doctor when I was diagnosed and I thought that was the reason for the lack of information. I don't think it was. My own doctor was quite shirty when I questioned the diagnosis. This site is a mine of brilliant information. I still don't understand half the things people post about, but they've seen me through. I'm shortly going for my blood tests and I know what to ask for -whether I get that, well that's another question. Don't forget you can apply for free prescriptions. Learnt that on here too.