Just diagnosed Hypo

[Shonnyuk]

Hi everyone

A couple of weeks ago my legs started giving out on me. As I've had breast cancer twice (35 and 37 now 42) I had a full range of blood tests.

My thyroid came back low. Reading were tsh 5.5, t4 10.4, antibody 1300.

My other symptoms have been exhaustion and insomnia. But my bc meds can also give these symptoms. I'm having an MRI just to rule out other nasties.

It's up to my gp to medicate my thyroid.

He has started me on 25mg for one month... 50mg second month and retest then.

Does this dose sound correct? How long will it be before I start feeling better? Many thanks to anyone reading.

[shaws Administrator]

Yes that sounds right but I would think 50mcg should be taken for around 6 weeks and thereafter when you have more increments of 25mcg each time.

I am sorry you've also had breast cancer and both diseases can be due to low iodine. Of course, you mustn't supplement with iodine now that you are on levothyroxine and I hope you feel well reasonably quickly although it might take a few months with you gradually improving.

globalhealingcenter.com/nat...

Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach and can be first thing on awakening, with one glass of water and wait about an hour before eating. This is so that food doesn't affect the uptake of the hormones (levo). Some prefer dosing at bedtime, in that case leave about 2.5 hours after eating.

When you go for your next blood test have it as early as possible and fast. Also leave about 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the blood test, take it afterwards. If you've not had vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate tested ask for these too.

Always get a print-out of your blood test results for your own records and so that you can post if you have a query.

I hope you feel better quite soon but it does take a while for the hormones to build up to an optimum level which makes you feel well again.

[Shonnyuk in reply to shaws]

Thanks for replying.

Do I adjust my meds (up to 50mg) straight away myself or tell Dr? He wasn't keen on treating me as he said I was borderline. .. but I can't cope with lack of energy.

Also I've been looking at the pig hormone etc ... should I look into this straight away in addition or wait for my levels to stabilise?

Many thanks :).

[shaws Administrator in reply to Shonnyuk]

I would give levothyroxine a chance. Just take the 25mcg of levo for 4 weeks get your blood tests and a copy of them and post for comments. Raise it to 50mcg and follow the procedures for the blood test which I gave above.

If you do fine on levothyroxine you wont need to bother with any other hormones or source your own medications.

[Shonnyuk in reply to shaws]

Brilliant. ... thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

This explains very well, why it is so important not to change dose of Levo too quickly.

thyrophoenix.com/adjusting_...

[Shonnyuk in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. I've just read it... it make sense. I admit I'm impatient to feel well again :/. .