A newbie

[DonnaRed]

Hello, I have recently been diagnosed with a border line under active thyroid. To hear that there was something actually wrong with me was such good news as I thought I was going out of my mind. I was shocked though it was my thyroid as I thought it might have been the start of the Perimenopause. I have been put on 25mg of levothyroxine every other day and have been taking them for around 2 weeks. I don't know if it's in my mind but I feel fantastic, can the meds be working this soon? I have also noticed I don't need to wear my reading glasses anymore, has anyone else found that?

I am also on citalopram which I am debating weaning myself off as I feel so good.

My only worry is that I also suffer with Androgenetic Alopecia and I am really worried that the medication will make it worse, again any advice would be really appreciated.....

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You will need blood retested after 6-8 weeks. You have been started on extremely low dose of Levothyroxine. Standard starter dose is 50mcg daily

Always get actual results and ranges on your blood tests and keep good record of what dose your were on at each test result

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need enhanced access to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can make nominal charge for printing but many will do so for free (£10 max and can not charge at all after May 25th 2018)

You ideally need to know the TSH, FT3 and FT4, plus have you also had thyroid antibodies tested

Very important to test thyroid antibodies. If these are high it gives cause of hypothyroidism as due to autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's. Low vitamin levels are common with Hashimoto's

So it's helpful if had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested. Add results and ranges if you have them

Low ferritin can be underlying reason for hair loss

Depression is common symptom of being hypothyroid. You are very early in treatment, you probably don't want to rush to ween off citalopram yet, but wait a few months and for Levothyroxine dose to be increased slowly.

[DonnaRed in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for the advice, I’m going to collect my results today 👍🏼

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to DonnaRed]

Come back with a new post once you have them for advice from members

[DonnaRed]

Hi again, I have found out that my TSH is 5.4 and I do have to go back for another blood test in 6 weeks,

[trelemorele]

Ahh... that's interesting. I had issues with my eyesight and reading and had to buy reading glasses when I was hypo.

Now another person confirms similar eyesight problem and having improvement after thyroid hormones. 🤔

[DonnaRed in reply to trelemorele]

It is weird, I have been taking Vitamin D also and definitely seen an improvement in eyesight 👍🏼

[greygoose]

Try taking Evening Primrose Oil and Borage Oil to counter-act the effect of levo on your hair.

[DonnaRed in reply to greygoose]

Thank you 😊

[greygoose in reply to DonnaRed]

You're welcome.

[Ikeeptrying]

Is it possible the meds will help your hair? Just a thought.