Newly diagnosed

[YoNoHe]

Hello, I'm sammi, I'm 40 and I've been diagnosed today as having an underactive thyroid after years of tests.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 26 years ago but a couple of years ago my friend told me to look into thyroid testing as I have 90% of the symptoms, but every test came back negative. I was referred for weight loss surgery and my consultant requested 2 different tests which came back positive.

I'm actually pleased in a way because I finally have a reason behind all of these symptoms that I can PROVE and I may start to feel normal.

I'm stuck in a wheelchair due to pain and exhaustion and I'm 8 stone overweight and I would love to be better.

[Greybeard]

I'm pleased you have a diagnosis at long last. Change won't come quickly but it will come when you are on the correct dose. Make sure doctor tests for vit d, vit b12, folate and ferretin we are often deficient and require optimal levels not just within range. Read as much as you can on this site so you can be sure doctors are following the correct procedure, many don't so watch them carefully.

[YoNoHe in reply to Greybeard]

Thank you. I think I was tested for vitamins as it was for the weight loss surgery so I'll give them a ring to check. I do take multi vitamins, vitamin d, c, zinc, evening primrose oil anyway

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to YoNoHe]

Put these results on a new post once you get them.

Members can advise

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Pleased you finally got a diagnosis

How much Levothyroxine have you been started on?

Plus have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin B12 tested. Plus were thyroid antibodies tested

Vitamin D is often low if we are very over weight and/or hypothyroid

If you add your results and ranges members can advise

It takes a full 6 weeks for each dose of Levo to fully balanced. Then your bloods should be retested

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 straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

Dose is increased in 25mcg steps (retesting each time after 6-8 weeks) until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased

All thyroid tests should ideally 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 straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

[Treepie]

Always insist on having the blood test results with the ranges shown in brackets." Normal " just means in range and is not very helpful it needs to be optimal