I am new here.....trying to get my dose right after thyroidectomy.

[Foxie1234]

April 2016 I had a thyroid storm....very frightening. I had all the recommended meds for hyperthyroidism but to no avail. Had a thyroidectomy in June 2016. Put on 100mcg of Levothyroxine post-op and was very sick. Reduced to 75mcg. Consultant not happy with results of blood test so put me on 50mcg/75mcg alternate days, felt really tired and lethargic all the time. After blood test TSH 8.6 T4 13.2 consultant increased Levo to 100mcg/75mcg alternate days. I was still feeling tired and unwell....so dr. Increase my Levo to 100 mcg again. Last blood test TSH 2.5 T4 22.3. I have been having blood tests every six weeks at the moment until my levels are stable.....I thought that once I came out of hospital and started on thyroxine I would be feeling much better than I do.....My hair has gone very thin, the skin around my eyes is very puffy, I get double vision in a morning and I am putting on weight (although I did lose 3 stone while hyper!) and I still feel lethargic. Will all this right itself when my levels are stable? I take my Levo at night, as I found it made me sick if I took it in the morning, as I take other meds. This seems to work for me. Will I begin to feel well again soon! Does anyone have any experience of thyroid storm and how it affected them!

[Clutter]

Foxie1234,

Thyroid Storm is a medical emergency which affects hyperthyroid patients. Now you have had a thyroidectomy you are hypothyroid and won't be able to suffer thyroid storm again.

You are still undermedicated to have TSH 2.5. FT4 22.3 is usually high in range and some patients need FT4 high or over range to produce sufficient FT3 to feel well. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

Thyroidectomised patients lose the facility for producing T3 in the thyroid gland and may not always convert T4 to T3 well on Levothyroxine only. If this is the case the addition of some Liothyronine (T3) to Levothyroxine can be helpful. Ask your endo to test FT3 in addition to TSH and FT4 and post the results with the ranges (figures in brackets after results) in a new question for advice.

If your endo can't or won't order FT3 tests you can order a private thyroid test. Blue Horizon Thyroid Plus 3 gives TSH, FT4 and FT3 but Thyroid Plus11 includes antibodies and vitamins and minerals. thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Hidden]

thyroid storm was my biggest fear when i was hyper..

i wish you feel better soon.

i thought the problems will go away when i had my surgery...

why do you have double vision?

[Foxie1234 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. I didn't know I was hyper, I had an enlarged thyroid but Drs all said it was ok. I went into hospital for a small operation and had the thyroid storm while in hospital (thank goodness), I was diagnosed quite quickly after that. It was a very worrying time for us all.....but I came through it with the dedication of a endocrinologist and his team who were very thorough....his clinical knowledge was brilliant and he explained everything to my husband in plain language. Sadly, I am no longer under him as he has moved on to another hospital.

I have had double vision in a morning now for about three months, I go to see the ophthalmologist on 14th, I am hoping it is all connected to the thyroid problem, and will disappear when my levels are stable.

[Tamzin27]

Hi Foxie1234,

Like you I had a thyroidectomy in October 2016. I was put on 150 mcg Levothyroxine straight after surgery. I felt really well on 150 mcg Levo. Unfortunately, I started experiencing some side effects after a few weeks. Very bad foot ache. So, I reduced my dose to 125mcg. The pain went away but I felt very tired. So, I am now taking 150mcg 3 times a week and 125mcg the other days. You seem to be on a much smaller dose. Hope you can find the right dose for you. Good luck.

Tamzin27