Confused newbie

[jankei]

Having been borderline in my thyroid test for many years, I was excited to learn that I can now go on thyroxine. I, in my innocence thought after a couple of weeks or so I would be on top of the world! No, my doctor said I probably won't feel any different. She said yesterday that it may be I need an adjustment to my antidepressants.

I asked for a printout of my latest results and they are

Se thyroid peroxidase ab conc - 254 abnormal 0.00 - 50 iu/ml

Raised antibody level suggestive of autoimmune thyroid disease.

T4 normal 12.1

Serum TSH abnormal 9.9 0.35 - 5.00 mu/L

So what am I? Is it Hashimotos? 4 weeks on tablets and blood test due next week as 6 weeks I will be on holiday. My symptoms - weight gain, feeling yuk! lack of energy and also forget what I am about to say, seems to be getting worse. My age is 69. Started on 25mg tablets. Please someone give me some hope!!

[greygoose]

Oh course there's hope! It's just that you're right at the beginning of your journey, and the journey is long. You need patience. I applaud your doctor being honest and telling you you wouldn't feel any difference after two weeks. My first endo to me that in two weeks I would feel on top of the world - so well I wouldn't recognise myself. But, after two weeks I felt ten times worse! I don't know if she was lying, or just stupid, but it made me feel like a failure. At least your doctor is telling it as it is.

Due to your age, she started you on a very low dose, so it will take even longer. But, I'm sure she will increase the dose after your next blood test, and you'll be that much closer to feeling better. Do you know to have your blood draw as early as possible - at least before 9 am - and fast over night? And leave 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the blood draw? That's a patient to patient tip doctors know nothing about.

Only allow your doctor to 'adjust' your antidepressants if she proposes to lower them. I doubt you need them at all. It will be the hypo causing your depression, and when you're on the right dose, you will be able to come off them. No-one ever suffered from antidepressant deficiency!

[jankei in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose for your prompt reply. I have been on antidepressants for years before thyroid problems. I have noted your tip for the blood test. I have another problem at the moment, which I thought was sciatica in my leg. The doctor said she thinks it is damaged tendon and I am on co-codamol. Obviously the pain from this is making me feel miserable so it is difficult to assess if the thyroid tabs are working or not. Still the painkillers do cheer you up for a while.

[greygoose in reply to jankei]

You can have no idea how long you have had a thyroid problem. It doesn't start with the diagnosis. It takes years and years to build up to a noticeable level, because the body adapts and copes. And lots of people are on antidepressants for a long time before they manage to get diagnosed as hypo.

[jankei in reply to greygoose]

I understand. In my case the depression was caused by work problems and I had a bit of a breakdown. I am finding the whole thing quite frightening as to what has been going on all those years. I feel I have missed out on the wellbeing I could have been feeling. Now old age is creeping up and those years cannot be reclaimed. Oh dear, I am feeling sorry for myself aren't I? Such minor problems compared to a lot of people, I will have to count my blessings, which actually are many!!

[greygoose in reply to jankei]

Yes, I know what you mean. I've had hypo problems since I was about 8. Didn't get diagnosed until 55, and now I'm 73. So, of course there are moments of self-pity, it's only natural. But, as you said, one has to count one's blessings. Things could have been otherwise, but would they necessarily have been better?