I am a newby..

[ThyroidDeb]

My thyroid numbers go up and down, right now tsh 5.8 T4 normal. Doctor started me on levothyroxine 50mcg started taking today. Some say I should not be taking some articles say yes, heart disease in family, I am 68 years old. Not many side affects to start but cotton mouth, irritable, shakey and a little foggy headed. Will this go away eventually? Thank you.

[greygoose]

Hi ThyroidDeb, welcome to the forum.

Sounds like you've got a very sensible doctor, there! You are technically hypo when your TSH gets to 3. If your numbers go up and down, has it ever been higher than that?

Two possible reasons why your numbers - and I imagine you're talking about the TSH results? - go up and down:

a) you don't always do your blood draw at the same time: TSH is highest early morning, and reduces throughout the day. It also drops after caffeine, and possibly after eating. So, we always advise people on here to have their blood taken as early as possible - before 9 am - and fast over-night.

b) you have autoimmune thyroiditis - aka Hashi's. Did your doctor test your antibodies? If not, ask him to.

[ThyroidDeb in reply to greygoose]

Hi greygoose, thanks for responding. I don't believe my doctor has ever tested antibodies. The highest tsh has been 6.4 lowest 3.21 up and down. T4 always normal T3 3.6 to 4.9 but she has not not checked since 10/18. I have tested high for RA 3 years ago but no symptoms and full body bone density was negative, never had thyroid symptoms either. I will talk to her about antibodies, I have blood test every 3 months. She said it's normal for people with autoimmune diseases to have thyroid problems, she said I have an underactive thyroid. I have blood drawn 9am or before and fast 12 hours no coffee before but a cup is waiting in my car! 😏

[greygoose in reply to ThyroidDeb]

She said it's normal for people with autoimmune diseases to have thyroid problems,

Well, I don't think she's right about that! Ask her to test the specific antibodies for Autoimmune Thyroiditis. You really need to know if you have it.

Please, when giving blood test results, always include the ranges, because they vary from lab to lab, and we cannot interpret your results without the ranges that went with them.

[Pharmaguapa in reply to greygoose]

Second that! With over 80 Autoimmune diseases that's a pretty blanket statement that I highly doubt! I suspect you have Hashimoto's but would get tested for that. Perhaps with her blanket term what she actually meant to say was that people with autoimmune diseases are more at risk of developing other autoimmune diseases.

Have you made any life style and dietary changes? These can have a big impact on autoimmune patients. The big ones are reducing stress (easier said than done sometimes!), getting enough sleep, regular exercise and reducing inflammatory foods (which can be very specific to each person). I do daily yoga, regular walking & horse riding & am on the Autoimmune Protocol diet which I've adapted to my body. It's had a profound effect on how I feel

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum ThyroidDeb. You will get lots of support & advice here! 😊