my tsh levels are 78 is this bad

[davvy]

i have just been told that i have under active thyroid .i,m new to all this

[vikkihope]

By the sound of it that is very high but I'm also new to this, Someone will comment on your page and help you, welcome to this hope you get the answers your looking for, have they put you on any meds yet, vikki

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Yes. It is *very* high. (Nowhere near the highest but, for comparison, I was today diagnosed at 5.75.)

I suggest that you buy this book:

amazon.co.uk/Thyroid-Disord...

Apart from Amazon, it is readily available at many pharmacies. Not perfect, but a very good initial read.

Has your doctor started you on any medication?

You can expect to be prescribed levothyroxine sodium (what we usually call thyroxine) at a low dose (something like 25mcg). You should take that for a while (maybe up to six weeks), have a blood test, then have your dose adjusted.

Typical daily doses are 100 to 200mcg (that is, micrograms) per day.

Always take your thyroxine with just water. Other drinks - or foods or medicines - can interfere with absorption. And don't eat anything for an hour after taking it.

Do keep asking questions. I don't want to overload you now.

All the best

Rod