Newly diagnosed

[dlh90]

Hi everyone,

I’m 27 and back in August I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid. I felt a little bit better with my meds as I was put on levothyroxine 25mg. However recently I’ve found I’m still getting symptoms so went back for more bloods so am waiting the results.

I’ve found though that I’m really struggling to lose weight. In the past year I’ve majorly put on weight, over 2 stone. Which since being diagnosed we can now see it’s because of my thyroid. Does anyone have any tips on how to lose weight.

I tried slimming world but found I kept gaining each week, and ended up giving up through frustration.

Any tips would be great.

Thanks in advance.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You should have had blood test 6-8 weeks after starting on Levothyroxine.

Have you got results from this test?

25mcgs is a tiny dose, 50mcg is the normal starting dose.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take after.

Also what were your results before starting on Levo? Do you know if you have high thyroid antibodies. If yes this is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

Good idea to get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 checked, especially if you have Hashimoto's

Likely you need dose increase. We have to step up slowly in 25mcg increases, waiting and retesting each time

[dlh90 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi,

This is the blood test I’ve just had, but I had to chase the doctor for it because I was still having symptoms.

When I originally had my tests done, he just told me that I had an under active thyroid but didn’t give me specifics. So when I have my results this time I will ask him.

This blood test is also going to show my thyroid antibodies. So potentially are high, but find out the 24th.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dlh90]

Yes always ask for printed copy of all test results and the ranges

Keep good records of dose on, how you feel etc

Spread sheet is good idea to easily see progress over time

You are the one that has to monitor and assess where you are, looking at FT4, FT3 and vitamin levels too

Not just the GP only looking at TSH