Newly Diagnosed

[Becx2015]

Hi,

Just found your site via the Thyroid UK Facebook page, I hope i'm ok posting here? I have recently been diagnosed as having an Underactive Thyroid (on top of already being B12 deficient/pernicious anaemia). I started Levothyroxine 2 weeks ago today, and I"m just looking for some reassurance really. Since starting the treatment, I have felt even tireder than I was before (didn't think that was possible!!) and have totally lost my appetite & feel vaguely nauseous all the time. Is this normal? Have others of you suffered when you first started the treatment? I know its early days but just looking for a bit of reassurance.

Thanks in advance

Becx

[JJEnchanted]

Heya Bec, sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but happy you are now on the path to wellness. I was diagnosed with auto-immune hypothyroidism in 2001 (TSH level of 125, having put on 4 stone and become quite poorly). I took T4 for 2 years and still didn't feel well. I would think everyone is different and some people may well improve on T4 alone, but I know a lot of people who haven't. I started taking T3 in combination with T4, after doing a lot of research and sharing it with my doctor, who agreed to try me on T3. I also gave him a copy of the book 'Living Well with Hypothyroidism'. I still feel exhausted if I don't sleep and eat well and take supplements, but when I do those things, I actually feel normal! I'd try the T4 for a month but if you still don't feel better, go back to discuss T3. Do your research so you can put forward a sensible argument to your doctor. Good luck

[5858]

You may want to give some more information. There are a lot of people on here who can help........... but they need your med dosage and blood work. All the best Susita

[Clutter]

Belated welcome to the forum, Becx2015.

It takes 7/8 days for Levothyroxine to be absorbed before it starts working and takes up to 6 weeks to feel the full impact of the dose you start on. It's likely your hypothyroid symptoms worsening before the Levothyroxine kicks in but they shouldn't get worse now you are on treatment.

For maximum absorption Levthyroxine should be taken with a 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 4 hours away from iron, calcium, vitamin D and oestrogen.

Starting dose is rarely the dose you end up on and it will take weeks/months until you are on a optimal dose as increases are in 25mcg increments every 6-8 weeks, but you will start feeling some improvement soon.

You should have a thyroid blood test 6-8 weeks after starting Levothyroxine and after every dose adjustment. Arrange the blood draw early in the morning, preferably before breakfast, as TSH is highest early in the morning and drops after eating. Leave 24 hours between last dose and blood draw to avoid skewing results.