Big weight lost but still exhausted. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Koola]

Dear Hypo friends,

My lab results were not as good as usual, mainly TSH: 4,1 instead of +/- 1,7 . FT3 & FT4 were +/- the same . Will post more exactly tomorrow.

But I believe I know how to remedy that. I was on 88 Evthyroxin 4/5 days a week, alternating with 75 Tirosint. (Though I’ve been advised to up Levo to 100, I’ve tried so often and it knocks me off my feet.) So now I’m on 88 Evthyroxin only. We’ll see.

I’m still exhausted and brain-foggy. However, though I noticed I’d lost some weight, to my great surprise when I got on the scales I saw that I’ve lost 10 kilos (circa 22 pounds). So, I suppose that’s a good sign. (Unless I start putting it all on again…) Gaining 33 pounds in 3 years had nothing to do with a change of diet or energy output, as so many of you know.

My question is: has any one also lost weight but still retained other symptoms like extreme fatigue, digestive problems, dry skin and hair, and -- that debilitating, horrible brain fog! ?

I’d rather be a little heavy and able to concentrate than look like the Girl from Ipanema (bearing a few more decades, lol) and not be able to add 3 three-digit numbers in less than 3 minutes!

Looking forward to your feedback.

[shaws Administrator]

You might need a small increase in dose as we aim to have a TSH around 1 or lower and Free T3 and Free T4 in the upper part of the ranges. I'm aware the 'frees' are rarely tested.

[Koola in reply to shaws]

Hello Shaws,

Here are my latest tests from 6 Nov. & 8 Feb.

I always check the Frees! (been on this site for over 2 years )

Date 6 Nov.: TSH: 1.32 (Range: 0.20 – 5.00 ) / 8 Feb.: 3.31

FT4: 13.0 (7.0 – 20.0 ) / 8 Feb.: 11.1

FT3: 3.03 (1.8 – 4.5) / 8 Feb.: 2.75

[shaws Administrator in reply to Koola]

Your TSH could be a bit lower and FT3 and FT4 higher. A tiny increase may help so that TSH is around 1 or lower and FT4 and FT3 higher. I also have to state that I'm not medically qualified.

Do you take your thyroid hormones with one full glass of water on an empty stomach and wait an hour before eating? If so, that's good.

[Koola in reply to shaws]

No, I usually wait only wait 30 mn. and take just a sip of water. will change this. What would be a tiny increase? 12 is the lowest. and if I add it to 88, it will be 100. I can take it every 3 days, and see. Thanks for your advice, Shaws. (bty, glad you're not "medically qualified", the endocrinologist I've encountered seemed closer in qualification to ignoramuses!)

[shaws Administrator in reply to Koola]

You can split a tablet quite easily if you have a good pill cutter. Some increase their dose by 1/4 tablet every few weeks always taking into consideration clinical symptoms (are they being relieved). If 'too much' go back to previous dose. You take your tablet with one full glass of water.

The following may be helpful and Dr Lowe was also a scientist/researcher/doctor. We take thyroid hormones with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating.:

Just pick what may be of interest to you. It is Dr. Lowe's website and he was an Adviser to TUK website (he died through an accident) that has been collated by Helvella.

dropbox.com/s/w7cjut689r1w1...

Just pick what may be of interest to you. Dr. Lowe died through an accident but has been collated by helvella

We take thyroid hormones with one full glass of water (on an empty stomach) and wait an hour before eating.

[Koola in reply to shaws]

Hello Shaw,

I’m might have misunderstood you.

When you say "some increase their dose by 1/4 tablet every few weeks", do you mean they take ¼ more everyday for a few weeks, and then another ¼ if they’re doing better?

I’ve taken it for only 3 days now and feel worse…

or do you mean they only take 1/4 once a week or a few weeks?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Koola]

If you new to hypothyroidism it is a big learning curve.

No, I meant if the person is still symptomatic after some time on their dose, that they can increase their dose by 1/4 tablet to their original daily dose once a day and stay on that dose for about six week so that your body has time to adjust. Always taking note of your clinical symptoms - when we reach a dose that relieves our symptoms that is our 'optimum' and we should stay on it. If we feel it is now 'too much' drop to previous dose.

[Koola in reply to shaws]

Hello Shaws,

I know my last question about raising T4 once a week sounded silly, but I’m past caring about such things! I was probably hoping you’d say, yes, raise it less often than daily. I do have experience with being hypo, since undergoing RAI 10 years ago for long standing hyper. But I only really learned anything about it, and invaluable advice, since finding this site in summer 2018.

Thanks for link to Dr. Lowe, but it’s too much info for me at this point. (And too low concentration powers.)

What I’ve deduced from reading so many posts is that we are all different and react individually (within the necessary general parameters). I’ve tried many different brands. Different doses. Adding T3. I was told more than once that increasing by only 12 was silly, that it had to be 25. It didn’t work and therefore I was thankful when you suggested a tiny increase. I react immediately to changes (though I know T4 takes a long time to impact etc.)

Today, I did the increase and am feeling miserable. My tinnitus is out of bounds; I’m exhausted; brain fog immense; tachycardia. I took some betahistine dihydrochloride for tinnitus but I’m sure I don’t have Menieres Disase (I don’t have vertigo, just exhausted) and it doesn’t help.

I will try changing Levo brand again after 6 or more months on Evthyrox.

To end on some positive: I did lose weight (as unexpectedly as I had gained it) and since I take vitamins & iron, as advised here, my digestion is improved and I’m off the 2-year long constipation / diarrhea seesaw!

Sorry for the length of this post, but as you know, it feels good to let it all out ! (And friends get bored with constant moaning when it goes on for years…) So, thanks for listening. If you have any suggestions, I’ll be very grateful.

Have an enjoyable Sunday

[shaws Administrator in reply to Koola]

Hi Koola, we don't need to apologise for the length of the post as it gives members a good idea and information helps others too.

We are all different and may have symptoms another member doesn't have and on the forum - as the majority are 'new beginners' - we're all on a learning curve - even those who've been members for a long time.

When we take thyroid hormones you take it with a full glass of water, not just a sip as it has to get to your stomach where the process happens. It could also stick in the throat if we don't take enough fluid (water).

I also have to state that I'm not medically qualified and we can only give explanations if we've gone through a similar experience.

Also it means that we don't have to often repeat .

If youve not added your background history in your 'page' you can copy/paste some of the above that you think is suitable.

[Koola in reply to shaws]

Thank you, Shaws. Yes, you’re right, it’s much better to put my info on my page. Will do! (asap...) Happy full moon.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Koola]

Putting our health history onto our page, it makes it easier as we don't then have to keep repeating as members can look on our page to know our background to becoming hypo, or hyper, or hashi's.

[ClareP5]

Have you had B12 checked out?

[Koola in reply to ClareP5]

Yes, it's good.

[jeffersonsam99]

Sometimes, few health issue makes more trouble in the body. Weight loss is happened due to health issue, so horrible brain fog problem also in the body.