Newly diagnosed

[ewilma26]

I have been hyper thyroid for 13 years had radiation done twice to shrink the thyroid gland and now was diagnosed 16 days ago with hypo thyroid. Side effects very tired, achy body, weight gain, and hand numbness. I was put on levithyroxin 75 mcg right away should I be seeing progress after being on this med for 16 days? Thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

ewilma26 should I be seeing progress after being on this med for 16 days?

Most unlikely. Levo takes about 7 days to start being absorbed and about 6 weeks to feel the full effect, whether that's newly diagnosed or having an increase in Levo. Hormones work slowly, we can't rush them. It may take months for you to feel properly well, and results may look good before you feel good.

You will need a retest 6-8 weeks from starting, an increase of 25mcg Levo, then regular 6-8 weekly tests/increases until you feel well and symptoms abate.

When booking thyroid tests, always book the very first 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 or to avoid a reduction in dose. This is a patient to patient tip which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.

[ewilma26 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you I appreciate the info

[ewilma26 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Should I be taking any vitamins at this point so early in my diagnosis?

[ewilma26 in reply to ewilma26]

Also I was gaining weight eating low carb 1500 a day calorie intake then after taking the levothyroxin for 7 days I lost 7 lbs then the next week gained it back not changing anything in my diet is this normal?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to ewilma26]

I'm not the best person to ask about diet. If you are optimally medicated with a healthy diet your weight should, in theory, stabilise. But, being women, hormones have a lot to answer for!!!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to ewilma26]

It's always worth checking vitamins and minerals. Optimal levels are needed for thyroid hormone to work, so if you do have any deficiencies/low levels then the sooner they are optimised the better.