New member

[M1moo]

Hi there my name's Mandy I'm 48 and was recently diagnosed with an under active thyroid...i am really looking forward to reading about other people's thyroid problems to gain some useful tips to coping with a new illness xx

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum and am sorry you have hypothyroidism.

Our members are very helpful and I'll give you a few hints which may be helpful.

Always get blood tests at the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levothyroxine and the test and take it afterwards. This may prevent the doctor adjusting dose unnecessarily.

Take levothyroxine with one full glass of water as tablet can stick in your throat. Allow about an hour before eating. You can take it either first thing or at bedtime. If taking bedtme dose and having a blood test next a.m., miss this dose and take after test and at night as usual.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges. Ranges are important as labs differ.

If you've not had B12, Vit D,iron, ferritin and folate tested ask for these as we can be deficient.

[M1moo in reply to shaws]

Thank you for that advice as I am due a blood test Monday, I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago and have been put on the lowest dose levothyroxine so this is the blood test to see if the dosage needs altering. I take my tablet about 7am-8am every day i can now adjust it accordingly 😊

[silverfox7]

Welcome! Have a look at the Thyroid Uk site-they run this forum. And there is loads of interesting info on how to take your medication, and may be look at the list of symptoms as you are starting your journey. It's quite a long one and I m not trying to frighten you ( you don't get many of them) but it may highlight other problems that you and even your doctor haven't realised are thyroid related. In fact he may have tried treating you for one and had t got far. Also useful to tick the signs you have and then compare it with how you are feeling after treatment.

Also always get into the habit of asking for a copy of your results and ranges. The ranges are important as they differ from lab to lab so if you post them for advice we can comment more accurately. It's useful to look back on them if things hiccup so write the dose you were on at the time as well.

Often doctors think if you are in the range you are fine but it's where in the range that is important so again a good reason for asking for a copy.

Shout out if you are unsure of anything. Nothing is too trivial-we have all been there and understand!

[M1moo in reply to silverfox7]

Thank you 😊

[JS33]

Welcome Mandy. This is a great place for hypo sufferers, we all help each other.