Sluggish and fed up!

[Annieflo]

I've just been diagnosed with underactive thyroid and don't know, as yet, what doc has prescribed - only hope whatever it is, it will give me back some energy - fed up of feeling sluggish and wanting to 'cat nap' every time I sit down to relax for 5mins!! - I'm only 56 and used to be marathon runner - bring on the medication!!

[Marz]

Hi Annieflo - good that you have found this forum - also that you have been diagnosed ! Do obtain copies of your results with ranges so you can monitor your own health and progress. Do you have Hashimotos ? Did they test the FT3 as well as the TSH and the FT4 - all these things are important so the sooner you learn about them the better you will recover Testing the TSH only tells you very little about the thyroid.

You will also need to have the following tested - B12 - Ferritin - Folate and VitD - they alol need to be OPTIMAL for your thyroid treatment to work well. Never ever accept normal from your GP as that is not a result - just an opinion. Low Iron - B12 - VitD - will leave you feeling tired and unwell.

thyroiduk.org

The above link will take you to the main website of the Thyroid UK where you will find all the information you will need about the thyroid.

Sticking with this forum will have you well in no time

[Annieflo in reply to Marz]

Thank you; what is FT3, TSH and FT4? Doc actually said it was borderline but might as well start the medication now as it is very probable I will need it! - did seem a very odd diagnosis. Doc has actually now prescribed Levothyroxine 25mg (56) after which I will need another blood test. Apparently all my other tests were 'normal'. All I want is this tiredness to alleviate and the need to 'drop off' whenever I sit down and get comfy to go! On a positive note, just love this site - so interesting and helpful!

[Marz in reply to Annieflo]

Annieflo - everything is explained in the link I posted for you in my previous post above. The website will also confirm the information I posted re testing. Am afraid we have to read and read if we want to find wellness. Do you have copies of those so-called normal tests ?

[Annieflo in reply to Marz]

No, never actually saw a doctor, it is normal procedure, in the practice I'm registered in, for the doctor to phone you at home and for the patient to explain their symptoms and then the doctor either prescribes some medication or will ask you to arrange an appointment if deemed necessary from that phone call.

[Marz in reply to Annieflo]

You should still obtain copies of your results so you can see what was tested and so others can help you if appropriate. You also need copies so you can monitor your own health - it is your legal right to have them .....

Docs do not always get it right - so advice from this forum can be very helpful.

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Annieflo.

It's likely to take a few months before your energy returns but you should feel gradual improvement a few weeks after starting Levothyroxine.

For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with water 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 supplements and oestrogen.

It takes 7-10 days for Levothyroxine to be absorbed before it starts working and it will take up to six weeks to feel the full impact of the dose.

You should have a follow up thyroid test 6-8 weeks after starting Levothyroxine. Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood draw when TSH is highest, and take Levothyroxine after your blood draw.

Most people will find symptoms resolve after their TSH drops to around 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range but symptoms can lag a couple of months behind good biochemistry.

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

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

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I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[shamicuk]

I was diagnosed 7 weeks ago. I've been on 50 mg of Levothyroxin (the medication of choice for the UK NHS) for 7 weeks now, and that has just been upped to 100mg after recent blood tests. Get the readings from the Doctor and let us know. My initial reading for TSH was 46, Free T4 6.3, and I felt the way people feel a few days after the fever breaks in a flu for weeks before they tested my thyroid. My health has improved since starting the Levo, though not enough yet for me to get back to work. I also take Vit B complex, Selenium, vit A,C and E and Cod Liver oil, and they have made me feel better too.