I,ve just been diagnosed with an under active thyroid and don,t really have any symptoms other than tiredness but I work 30 hours a week as a cleaner so understandably will get tired . I,m really quite alarmed about the severity of the diagnosis after reading on here . I ,ve been put on 50mcg Levo but am really scared about taking them , don,t like taking meds at all if I can avoid it . I also have high cholesterol and have been taking statins for some years with no problems . Anybody else with the same problem or feeling the same ?
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Edelle
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You need to educate yourself about your diagnosis immediately. Confusion or ignorance about the thyroid can prove to be dangerous to your health. First understand that the Levo you need to survive is not a "drug" it is a hormone necessary to your body as you cannot produce enough any longer. You haven't mentioned if you have Hashi's or not so let's presume you do, so your Thyroid gland is going to eventually destroy itself. Do some intensive reading on the subject (there's a lot of good books and good sites to investigate further)
Start here by using the search engine on specific topics
And do look at getting your nutients tested asap. By looking at our ferritin, folate, B12 and Vit D levels we can get a better understanding of why we may suffer ongoing symptoms (fatigue, depression, etc). And without optimal nutrient levels we cannot efficiently convert our dosage either.
Read SeasideSusie s post for more on nutrient supplementing etc.
and do post your current blood test results when you have them for feedback as you go forward with treatment.
It might help to read other newbie forum members posts like yours so that you can benefit from advice given to them as well - heres one example:
I am sorry you have hypothyroidism but the 50mcg of levo is only replacement hormones and it is the hormones that run our whole metabolism, so there's no need to be scared of taking it.
Many women take hormones, particularly if their body isn't providing sufficient.
The hormones run everything in our body from head to toe and brain and heart need the most.
High cholesterol is a clinical symptom of hypothyroidism and you have probably been hypo for a long time and doctors nowadays do not know any clinical symptoms.
Thyroid hormones reduce our cholesterol levels more naturally than statins but don't stop taking them suddenly.
If you tick off your symptoms, I bet you have more than a few and probably been hypo for a long time.
We have to read, learn and get ourselves better and doctors seem to be the worst offenders in that they only look at a blood test and don't enquiry about any clinical symptoms but will provide 'another' medication for the symptom rather than optimally treat their patient for their condition.
Hypothyroidism is a very serious condition if untreated, in that if we pay for our prescriptions usually, if hypo we are exempt for any other prescriptions for any other illnesses we may get/have.
First, all blood tests have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose and the test and take it afterwards. This gives us the best result, i.e. TSH will be higher as that's all the professionals appear to take notice of. Levo should be taken first thing with one full glass of water and wait about an hour before eating. Food can interfere with the uptake of thyroid hormones.
GP should test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as everything has to be optimum.
Post your results with the ranges (always get a print-out of your results). Tick off the symptoms you have.
Hi, I am very like you, I cannot say that I feel ill, just permanently tired and unable to sleep. Whilst I cannot say that I feel any different taking Levo, I too was reluctant to take it for a time, not believing that I was ill and that I would have to take it for life. From reading information and posts on this very useful site, I do understand that this vital and without it worse health problems could occur. I do hope you have built up to confidence to take your tablets and that you feel benefit some from it. Regards
It is so good to know that others feel the same . I have been taking this Levo now for 2 days - only just been diagnosed so haven,t delayed the process , but did feel really insecure about this , I suppose mainly because the doctors don,t explain to you what it's all about . So it's very helpful having this site to gain more knowledge on the subject and for advice and reassurance .
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