New diagnosis

[Naturegirl22]

I have posted before but I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism today as the doctor said I had put on a significant amount of weight and am still gaining and that I am also constantly exhausted and very depressed and my TSH levels are higher than normal and I will be starting on levothyroxine 100mcg tabs from tomorrow and have to have a blood test in 4-6 weeks time.

How has everyone else experienced the diagnosis and treatment of levothyroxine? Has it helped? I have applied for a medical exemption certificate as well.

[Clutter]

Naturegirl22, just about everyone on this forum has either been diagnosed hypothyroid and treated with Levothyroxine, or is trying to get a diagnosis and treatment

75-100mcg is a good starting dose for people without heart disease under 50 years of age. It will take 7-8 days for the Levothyroxine to be absorbed before it starts working and up to six weeks to get the full impact of the dose. You should be feeling improvement during that time but symptoms can lag behind good biochemistry by a couple of months so it will take a while for all symptoms to resolve.

For maximum absorption it should be taken with water on an empty stomach 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron, vitamin D and oestrogen.

TSH is highest early in the morning and before food and drink so have an early, fasting test (drink water, it makes the blood draw easier) and take your Levothyroxine dose after the blood draw.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...

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

[Naturegirl22 in reply to Clutter]

Hi,

Thank you so much. I will start taking it tomorrow. I wanted to ask can I still take the contraceptive pill Marvelon with the levothyroxine medication. I take my pill around 7pm daily.

I don't know how to take my own blood or read the results, do I need to buy a kit or something as I am having a blood test in 4-6 weeks.

[Clutter in reply to Naturegirl22]

Naturegirl, As long as you take Marvelon 4 hours away from Levothyroxine it's fine.

You won't need to take your own blood. My GP prints a bloods request form and gives it to me to have done in the practice phlebotomy dept or local hospital. Some practices have a practice nurse to do blood draws. You need to book an appointment with the practice nurse usually, try for a very early test.

Thyroid results are usually reported within 24 hours. Allow 48 hours for the GP to review the results then you should be able to get a printout (ask for ranges too) from the GP receptionist or practice manager. Post them in a new question and we'll interpret them and show you how to.

[Naturegirl22 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you very much clutter.

I just took my first levothyroxine tablet and am experiencing side effects of nausea, some panicky feelings and feel as though I am going to have diarrhoea.

Is this normal or does it mean that the dose is too high?

[Clutter in reply to Naturegirl22]

Naturegirl, I don't think it's to do with the tablet. It takes 30 minutes for tablets to dissolve, instant effect/reaction is unlikely. I don't think 100mcg is too high but if you are concerned cut the tablet in half and take 50mcg for a week or two before increasing to 100mcg.

[Naturegirl22 in reply to Clutter]

Okay Clutter,

Thank you so much. You have put my mind at ease, I will keep taking them.