Newly diagnosed T4 1.4 TSH 90.2

[realvikki]

Been feeling achy for some time(put this down to new baby and carrying him around) dry mouth, snoring,and dreaded WEIGHT GAIN! Been started on 50mg levo which will be gradually increased...when will I start to feel normal??!!! The aching is full body now, making me feel very low I'm normally a busy lady - 3 kids - feel like I am letting them down

[rosetrees]

You'll need to be patient for a few weeks. It takes around 6 weeks for the dose of T4 (thyroxine) to build up in the body. I expect you will be raised after around 4 weeks and then given a blood test a few weeks later to see if you need another raise.

Sometimes you have to be a little insistent on getting a raise if you still don't feel right. Depends on your doctor.

As you have small children, did you have these things tested too: Vit B12, Vit D, iron, folate and ferritin. All need to be well in range and you may well be low in iron if you have a new baby. (Congratulations by the way!)

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Realvikki.

You can expect to feel some improvement in symptoms in 7/10 days. Your TSH is very high so you will need an increase in dose in 4/6 weeks after a thyroid blood test. Don't take your medication on the day of your test until after your blood draw. It may take a few months before you are on an optimal dose and all of your symptoms are resolved.

Take your Levothyroxine with a full glass of water on an empty stomach one hour before, or two hours after, food and drink, two hours away from other medication and supplements and four hours away from calcium, iron and oestrogen.

Ask your GP to test ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate as hypothyroid patients are often deficient/low and these deficiencies can cause musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and low mood similar to hypothyroid symptoms. Post your results with the lab ref ranges (the figures in brackets after your results) in a new question and members will advise whether supplementation is required.

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

[humanbean in reply to Clutter]

And just to add to what Clutter said...

Make sure any blood tests are done as early in the day as possible.

[Clutter in reply to humanbean]

LOL, Humanbean, even bottom of the class GP's will recognise TSH 90+ as overtly hypothyroid

[humanbean in reply to Clutter]

True. But hopefully realvikki's TSH won't stay that high for very long, and it is a good idea to get into good habits as soon as possible.

[Spareribs in reply to humanbean]

sometimes they think it's just a temporary 'blip' after pregnancy - I wonder why...

Realvikki, congrats

it's pretty likely you'll be deficient in a lot of vits/minerals too - babies are very clever at depleting our resources.

Hopefully that weight gain will go if you're breast feeding (which also needs Vit D) if you're not - don't worry about it, ever - there's lots of vits in formula.

(for me joint/muscle aching & feeling low was because I was low in vit D - sunshine - as was my daughter and granddaughter, it may not be contributing - but worth knocking it off the list). Cuddles, Jane x

[realvikki]

Thanks for your replies..will ask for those other bloods to be done-luckily I have a co operative gp! Is that a typical newly diagnosed reading- my gp said it was impressive and said it must have been brought on by my pregnancy. Thanks once again x

[Clutter in reply to realvikki]

Realvikki, that is an extremely high TSH. Your GP's right, puberty, pregnancy and menopause hormonal changes are often triggers for hypothyroidism.

By the way, TSH >20 has been shown to impair driving reactions more than being over the alcohol limit so please be very careful if you have to drive for a few weeks.