Help with results

[Debsdaisy]

Hi - diagnosed underactive thyroid after feeling exhausted all the time and even though healthy eating not losing weight. Diagnosed end of May 2014. Initial results T4 - 8, TSH - 8.6

Took 50micrograms of levothyroxine for 6 weeks and tested again early July dr said results much better T4 - 12.8, TSH 2.6.

However I am feeling no better! Constantly still feel tired and exhausted most of the morning till early afternoon then energy picks up. Aches and pains. I'm 5ft 1 and most of my life have been 8.5-9 stone. I now weigh 10 stone 5. I exercise lots (daily kettlebells, swim 50 lengths 2,3 times a week or run 4-5 miles 2 times a week). For the last 4 weeks I've eaten nothing but salads, cereals, and fish or chicken with veg. Im not eating any normal foods or any bad stuff! And still not 1lb loss!!!! Surely this is not right. He refused to up dose and said retest in couple of months.

Starting to feel very depressed about lack of energy and no weight loss even with regular exercise and completely healthy eating. If I eat normal foods ie pasta rice potatoes and lapse slightly my diet I easily creep to to 11 stone so literally live on cereals and salad and veg chicken it's getting so tiresome. I confess the results but of it baffles me as I'm new to it all but do you guys think I should really try and get my dosage upped at next appt???? Any help or advise would be gratefully received

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum and I am sorry you're not feeling much better than before your diagnosis. It may well be that you are not yet on an optimum dose of levothyroxine to make you feel well and normal health.

It is a slow process, unfortunately, your doctor should increase your medication again although, like most, if your TSH is now in the normal range they think that's the permanent dose. That's wrong. He should have increased at your last blood test and Dr Toft of the British Thyroid Association recommends that most of us need a TSH below 1 or surpressed to feel better. Some also need the addition of some T3 to a reduced T4.

Always get a print-out of your blood test results and they must have the ranges with them as labs ranges differ throughout the country and it makes it easier to comment.

When you get your next thyroid gland blood test have it as early as possible and don't take any medication until afterwards. Also ask GP to test your Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, iron, ferritin and folate as we are usually deficient too which can also cause problems.

Weight gain is a symptom of hypothyroidism as our metabolism is too slow (hypo means low) and therefore we need enough hormones to raise our metabolism. Weight should reduce when on optimum medication but you may also need to diet but dieting wont work until you are 'optimum'.

[Debsdaisy in reply to shaws]

I had my follow up appt today. Never ever in my 44 years have I felt so angry, sad, upset and frustrated in one go at a doctors appointment! Been trying to up my thyroid meds from the very basic dose and banging my head against a brick wall! Dr refused a month ago, begrudgingly said to retest in a month, booked follow up after blood test back with initial dr and when I went to go in initial doctor who refused a month ago was outside his door shaking his head at me and I swear gave me a disapproving look. After discussing my issues and getting a little upset as he was very standoffish with me and made me feel like a complete hypochondriac he then stated that I was depressed not suffering with thyroid! Rarrrrrrr I told him I've never in my whole life been depressed and that I have nothing to be depressed about. He said I disagree and will not up your thyroid meds. Think a change of dr is called for as needed to change as I've moved areas but was still seeing current dr until happy with thyroid but also worry what he's written in my notes

[Debsdaisy in reply to Debsdaisy]

My initial TSH was 8.6, T4 was10, after 6 weeks of 50 strength Levo it was much better as TSH 2.6 T4 12.8 but I was feeling no better. Had blood test month later and results were TSH 3.0 T4 14. I know that 3 is in the "normal" range between 0.35 and 5. But.... I'm still feeling no better

[shaws Administrator in reply to Debsdaisy]

Some doctors would give you depression, that's a fact. They don't listen, some of them, to the person who is taking the medication. No bood tests for depression but willing to prescribe rather than a optimum dose of medication.

Definitely change your GP. Ask at the pharmacists if any prescribe T3 or NDT and they will possibly also prescribe a decent amount of thyroxine for you too.

Your present one could definitely be the cause of high blood pressure too. The fact that your TSH is rising shows the need for an increase to around 1 or below.