5 weeks no better

[Lillycat]

Hi I’m just wondering if anyone can give me any advice as I feel like I’m slowly dying I’m so tired achy & fed up, iv got hypothyroidism diagnosis 5 wks ago, I’m on 50mg Levothyroxine,&im no better at all sometimes I get a little half an hour of energy & that’s it, I’m aching all over & just never known tiredness like it,I thought I would of been a little better by now, iv also got a vitiman d definecy as well, I haven’t got any readings myself just doing what doc says,should I go back for bloods this wk or ride it out another wk if I can, is this normal to be this tired? Any advice would be appreciated I’m scared as never felt like this before.

[m7-cola]

Hi Lillycat. It’s not surprising that you don’t yet feel better. Your 50mcg is just a starter dose and most likely you will need a raise. Yes, do go back for a test next week as a review at this stage is always advisable. Both the low Vitamin D and the symptoms you describe are signs you need to improve them.

[Lillycat in reply to m7-cola]

Thanks for your reply I will go back next week for bloods, just wanted to know if it’s normal to feel this ill & tired, & I’m just hoping this is the right medication for me thank you.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Lillycat

It was explained in reply to your first post that there is no quick fix for hypothyroidism and you may not feel improvement for some time. Levo doesn't work like an aspirin does for a headache.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

You are due for a retest in a week or so's time, so ensure you have that on time and follow the advice we always give here when having thyroid tests:

* Book the first appointment of the morning. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If we are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction then we need TSH to be as high as possible.

* Fast overnight - have your evening meal/supper as normal the night before but delay breakfast on the day of the test and drink water only until after the blood draw. Eating may lower TSH, caffeine containing drinks affect TSH.

* Leave off Levo for 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then leave that off for 8-12 hours. Take after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.

These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.

Please do as advised previously and always ask for a print out of your results. This will help you monitor your condition and learn about it, it will also help us to help you when you post on the forum. Post new results, with reference ranges when you have them for comment.

You also didn't answer the question about what your Vit D level was and how much D3 you are taking. Also, we need to see your levels of B12, folate and ferritin, optimal levels are needed for all vitamins for thyroid hormone to work properly. If you give us this information we can help further.

[Lillycat]

Ok thank you for your advice it’s just a bit frightening being this exhausted & I just thought I’d feel a bit better by now but I suppose wi the Vit D as well it makes sense, when you put it like that il ask if iv had the other ones tested as well what u mentioned thanks for taking the time out to listen it’s just awful when iv been so active & feel like I’m not the person I was & guilty on my child sometimes bless him he’s no bother, & the aches & pains are awful sometimes, I also didn’t realise it takes up to 7 years & looking back now I’d say iv had symptoms for about 3 years, & I fainted about 5 weeks ago & they sent me for bloods that’s how I found out, the only thing I would say is that I’m not as bone chilling cold anymore, the last wk or so thanks again.

[SilverAvocado in reply to Lillycat]

Lillycat, unfortunately we have to be very patient Wilhelm hypothyroid It will take several months to get stable on the thyroid replacement, probably in the region of 6 months plus.

You should start feeling some improvement after your blood test when you will hopefully get an increase and start to get on a helpful dose.

[Lillycat]

Aww 5 bless you it’s so hard, ok I will take your advice & il definitely look into the other vits you mentioned, I’m quite a healthy eater anyways but I have been finding it hard as haven’t had much of an appetite wich is not me neither did you feel like your symptoms changed daily or hourly it’s very strange, get a lot of aches in my neck & shoulder, & a lot of stiffness all over really, I sound like a right moan but it like u said people think your fine when sometimes you just want to burst out crying, I really appreciate your kind words & advice thank you.

[Lillycat]

Hi these are the bloods they have sent me for today tft T sh & tft on no thyroid therapy that’s what it said on my blood form, do they test for t3 as well ? Thanks.

[SilverAvocado in reply to Lillycat]

Its unlikely they will test freeT3, as GPs are being restricted in what tests they can ask for. Hopefully you will see freeT4, which will give you a first impression of how the Levothyroxine is raising your levels - Levo contains T4.

Make sure you get printouts of any results and keep them for your records.