finding my feet in the world of hypothyroidism

[RozJA]

hi folks, trying to find my feet here and make sense of it all as not getting far with GPs. Was finally diagnosed last month with low thyroid when a consultant made a passing comment that my GPs needed to adjust my thyroxine to which I pointed out I wasn't on any. Turns out my TSH was 67 having spent the previous 6 months having been in and out of Drs not well and getting worse. Managed to get the GP to put me on 50mg and have now got it up to 100mg as my last reading while going the right way was still TSH 39. I have also discovered that the consultant has referred me to an endocrinologist but who knows how long it will take for that apt to come. My brain is beginning to come out of the fog but the rest me Is far from it and it seems to also be cyclic as mid monthly cycle it gets worse and gradually improves when I get my period till mid cycle again. Mid cycle I end up overwhelmed with fear and panic that I have no control over, I simply wake up with my whole body in fear or flight mode and no rational self talk makes any difference, it seems to be a physical state that I simply have to wait to subside. Please tell me that I am not alone in feeling like this.

[Clutter]

RozJA,

TSH 39 is still profoundly hypothyroid. How long have you been taking 100mcg?

[RozJA in reply to Clutter]

as of today so I know I need to be patient but having a rough time this week.

[Clutter in reply to RozJA]

RozJA,

I'm not surprised. You were very undermedicated on 50mcg and it will take a while for levels to respond to the dose increase.

For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with water 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron, vitamin D supplements, magnesium and oestrogen.

It takes 7-10 days for Levothyroxine to be absorbed before it starts working and it will take up to six weeks to feel the full impact of the dose. Symptoms may lag behind good biochemistry by several months.

You should have a follow up thyroid test 6-8 weeks after starting 100mcg Levothyroxine as dose may need further adjustment. Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood draw when TSH is highest, and take Levothyroxine after your blood draw.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[RozJA in reply to Clutter]

Thanks I am also on beta blockers and was not told not to take them at the same time but maybe I should try that based on what you said, also from the supplements. I have another blood test due anyway at the end of the month which is early morning so while I have not been told to fast maybe I should just not eat breakfast till afterwards. Its so hard to get any info from Drs on how to navigate all of this.

[Clutter in reply to RozJA]

RozJa,

You can have a thyroid test at any time of day and don't have to fast. Advice to test early and fast is a patient-to-patient tip to ensure TSH is at it's highest to get a diagnosis or dose increase or to avoid a dose reduction which happens when TSH is low.