newbie

[partridge1]

HI

I have just been diagnosed and put on levothyroxine 50mg for now to be checked in 6 weeks time I have been on it 2 weeks, I have just been told on checking my medical exemption card (due soon) its listed myxedema when you read up on that, its scary how do I get some positive feed back as I have no faith in gp's I am 58 years old!!

[greygoose]

Hi welcome to the forum.

What exactly do you find scary? Sounds as if you're off to the right start - doctor put you on the right dose and said to come back in six weeks. That's the way it should be.

[partridge1 in reply to greygoose]

HI

Thanks it was the list of things that can start to happen my head has been all over the place not sleeping is the worst and nightmares too I am so tired

[greygoose in reply to partridge1]

Yes, you're bound to be tired when you're hypo. If you need to sleep, sleep. Your body needs lots of rest.

Untreated hypo can be scary, I admit. But, now you've started treatment, those things shouldn't happen to you. They happen to people who are undiagnosed.

As I said, you've made a good start, and you've found this forum, so if you have any questions, there will usually be someone to answer them. You're in good hands! Don't worry.

[partridge1 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks again I felt I was going mad, whats a T3 test? seen it on here

[greygoose in reply to partridge1]

T3 is the active hormone. Levo is T4, which is the storage hormone that has to be converted into T3. Not everybody does that very well.

To tell if you're converting correctly, you need an FT4 test and an FT3 test, done at the same time. But, the NHS will very rarely allow the FT3 test to be done, because it is expensive.

No, you're not going mad, you're 'just' hypo.

[partridge1 in reply to greygoose]

thanks again

[greygoose]

Oh, I forgot to say, when you go back for you next test, make the appointment early in the morning, and fast over-night - just water. And, leave a 24 hour gap between your last dose of levo, and the test. You can take it after the test.

[partridge1 in reply to greygoose]

does that make a difference then as gp never said anything? thaks for your advise

[greygoose in reply to partridge1]

It all makes and enormous difference. But I doubt if your doctor knows that. They don't know very much about thyroid, they don't do it in med school.

The TSH is highest in the middle of the night, and decreases throughout the day. And, as most doctors only look at the TSH, you need it as high as possible. So, do the test as early as you can in the morning.

TSH also decreases after eating. So, don't eat until after the blood draw.

If you take your levo on the morning of the test, all you will be measuring is the dose you've just taken, not what is usually in your blood. So, your FT4 will be high, and your doctor will probably think you're over-medicated.

[partridge1 in reply to greygoose]

again thank you how do you know all this? I have alot to throw at my gp in oct when i go back

[greygoose in reply to partridge1]

16 years of experience, reading, learning, asking questions. You'll get there, too, if you stick around! lol

[Treepie]

As one bird name to another but I am male, I suggest you read up as much as possible.A good start would be Thyroid for Dummies which I found in the local library after reading various other books .

[partridge1 in reply to Treepie]

thanks for that will look for it