Thyroid issues

[Bowlegs1026]

Im new to the group but I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and I began to sweat my hair started shedding lost a tremendous amount of my hair over 2 yrs ago I started on 50 mcg levothyroxin my nails grew like crazy changed to 100 mcg not sure if the lost of weight was from that lost 35 lbs but would sweat excessively then moved back home to Texas and was put on 75mcg of levothyroxin I'm sweating like crazy now eating more than ever before nails stop growing and hair has anyone been experiencing this problem

[shaws Administrator]

What you need is a new blood test for your thyroid hormones.

The test should always be at the very earliest, 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 keeps the TSH at its highest and may prevent doctor adjusting dose down.

Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach with one full glass of water and wait for one hour before eating. Food interferes with the uptake.

Get a new blood test, following advice above and ask for:-

TSH, T3, T4, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

You should also have checked B12, Vitamin D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Get a print-out of your results with the ranges and post on a new question for comments.

The aim of taking levo or any other thyroid hormones is to bring TSH to 1 or lower, with a Free T4 and Free T3 towards the upper part of the range.

[silverfox7]

Welcome to the forum. It does sound as though your meds need some adjustment so looking at your last meds would help.

[Bowlegs1026 in reply to silverfox7]

I went from 75 mcg which I took for a month then to 50 mcg which I've been on for 2 weeks how long does it take to get back in system when you change and thank you

[Bowlegs1026]

My labs were done on 6/12/17

My t3 free was 3.12

My t4 free was 0.86

TSH was 0.89

[Bowlegs1026]

I also recently been experiencing knee pain and a funny little pain in legs when I started the 75 mcg for about a month should I go back to 100 mcg

[silverfox7]

First thing you need to do is not chop and change so frequently. Every dose change takes 5-6 weeks to get into the system so that is why it is recommended to get bloods done 6 weeks after a change do you now see that swapping so frequently isn't a sensible move but you are having to learn and weren't to know. Also another point to remember is that ranges change from lab to lab so whenever you give your results always but your ranges with them. Shaw's has explained a bit more for you and I know it sounds like lots of rules etc it's not as bad as it seems and you will soon pick up on how to do things to get the best results.

Nothing works quickly in the Thyroid world I'm afraid and you can't speed it up and cut corners I'm afraid or you risk having to start again.

I would stick at your current dose and after you have been on it 6 weeks get your bloods done and post them in a new thread with the ranges and we. An help you understand what to do next.

Shaw's has also suggested other tests. These 4 things help our thyroid to convert the inactive T4 to the active T3. We are often low in them so getting those optimal, not just in range will help as well.

We can have problems when we start of not in enough medication but that is usual as we have to start low to get our body used to it so if that's the case then we increase by 25 mcg and repeat the process until we are on the correct dose or we could have a conversation problem (or both) but getting the levels of the Fab Four can heartily help with that though again it can take time so post those results as well.

Now getting those things sorted can help with other niggling aches etc so we aren't just getting your thyroid into shape but the whole body will benefit.

Thyroid Uk run this forum and also if you look on their web site there is lots of advice. Anything that you don't understand then shout out, someone I'm sure will help.

[Bowlegs1026 in reply to silverfox7]

Thank you so much