New to this

[Mandye18]

Hi I'm amanda newly diagnosed any tips would be appreciated x

[Anthea55]

Hi amanda. Welcome to the forum.

A really useful place to look is the Thyroid UK website at

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/index....

If you have or can get your blood test results, I suggest you post them on here for advice. Get a printout from your GP's receptionist. This should show the tests they did with results and ranges.

Never accept 'normal' or 'within range'.

It's important to check vitamins and minerals. If any of these are low it may prevent thyroid medication from working properly.

All the best.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Hi Mandy

As Anthea says, have a look around ThyroidUK's main website, come and ask questions if you want anything explained.

A few patient to patient tips -

Take your Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, with water only.

Take any supplements/other medication two hours away from Levo, (iron, calcium, Magnesium , Vit D - four hours).

**

Presumably you have been given a starter dose of Levo (50mcg??). You will need retesting 6-8 weeks after starting, an increase in Levo of 25mcg, another retest 6-8 weeks later, another increase of 25mcg, another retest, etc, until your symptoms abate and you feel well. Retesting should always be done after a dose change.

When having thyroid tests, always book the earliest appointment of the day, fast overnight (water allowed), and leave off Levo for 24 hours. This gives the highest possible TSH which is needed when looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction. This gives continuity so that results can be compared accurately.

Keep as spreadsheet or notebook with all your results eg

Date .. Test name .. Result .. Reference range.. Dose of Levo .. Comments on how you feel

This way, if you are asked to change your dose then you will know how that change may affect you and can discuss it with your doctor. Useful to be able to prove a reduction will make you feel worse!

**

If you have any questions about your test results, when you post them make sure you include the reference ranges as these vary from lab to lab and your results can only be interpreted if they have your lab's range eg

TSH: 2.5 (0.27-4.20)

[Mandye18 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank u I'm just feeling really overwhelmed at the minute very teary today xx

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Mandye18]

(((Mandy))) don't worry, I think we all felt like that when diagnosed. Doctors don't really tell us much, many of them don't know much! You'll find support here. Just ask about anything you're unsure of, plenty of us happy to help

[Mandye18 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank u x

[Mikegov]

Along with the excellent support you will get on the forum I would recommend the following book which explains the problems that can occur with the thyroid and what we can do to fix them:

amazon.co.uk/Your-Thyroid-H...