Doctor's visit

[Naturegirl22]

I went to the doctors today because I have been on my thyroid medication for two months now and have not seen any change. I am still constantly exhausted, have put on weight, feeling depressed, cold and am having frequent dizzy spells.

I have a blood test on Tuesday morning for my blood sugar dating back three months, my Vitamin D, B12, Ferritin and Folate levels. I am not really sure what the results will be and someone suggested if it is not anything from my blood test results then it must be my antidepressants making me put on weight and feel exhausted all the time.

[shaws Administrator]

I hope your doctor took your blood test about the sixth week for thyroid hormones (or tomorrow if dose hasn't been raised in two months). The appointment should be the earliest and don't take levo before it and fast also you can drink water. Take levo afterwards.

Get a print-out of your results and post on a new question with the ranges.

Your dose was probably too low for you to benefit and hopefully he'll raise it after your blood test. If you've not had Vit B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate tested ask for these too as we are usually deficient.

Unexplained weight gain is common with hypothyroidism but should begin to reduce when you're on an optimum of hormones which raises your metabolism.

[Naturegirl22 in reply to shaws]

Hi,

As I mentioned, my blood test next Tuesday morning is for my blood sugar for the past three months, vitamin D, B12, ferritin and folate.

I had my blood test for my throid six weeks after being on Levothyroxine and it showed that all my results were in range and my TSH had dropped considerably and yet, I am feeling exhausted all of the time and have felt no difference whatsoever from being on Levothyroxine 100mcg.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Naturegirl22]

Your TSH is still quite high and you might feel much better if it is lower. I know it's in the 'normal range' but you aren't yet feeling well. This is an excerpt from Dr Toft of the British Thyroid Association:

"6 What is the correct dose of thyroxine and is there any rationale for adding in tri-iodothyronine?

The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range – 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. "

So your TSH is much higher. Ask for another increase about the 6th week after your previous test.

If you need a copy of Dr Toft's article, email [e-mail]

[Naturegirl22 in reply to shaws]

Hi thank you,

I will see what the outcome of this blood test is first then I will go from there to see if I need an increase of Levothyroxine or not and how soon I need my next thyroid blood test.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Naturegirl22]

The 64 thousand dollar question when taking thyroid hormones is:-

'How are we feeling' ...if well we're on an optimum.

If not so good - not on sufficient/optimum.

[Naturegirl22 in reply to shaws]

I am feeling constantly exhausted and even though I am eating quite well and walk for a bit each day as I cannot manage anymore than that, I have not lost any weight. I am too tired to join the gym. I also feel cold a lot of the time, have body aches and weakness, headaches and dizzy spells.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Naturegirl22]

You need an increase in your medication. These doctors need to be educated (not re-educated) because they don't know the first thing about treating a patient.

Your pulse is probably too slow as will the blood being pumped to your heart causing fatigue. They know NOTHING it would appear.

Thyroid hormones enable us to function properly and healthily but we must be on the correct ones for us and on an optimum dose. Our vitamins/minerals must also be optimum. Not somewhere in the range.

[Naturegirl22 in reply to shaws]

Yes true, I am going to wait for the outcome of my blood test measuring for ESR, Haemoglobin HC1, Vitamin D, B12, Ferritin and Folate first and see what that says then I will take it from there.