Just found out my thyroid has been 'destroyed'!

Hi - Just found out that my thyroid is not functioning at all. Not sure how the readings work, but was told my level was over 700! and there was no reading for the hormone. Put me straight on 100micrograms of Thyroxine and a month later levels have returned to normal. I also had no cortisol so hospital next week for adrenal function tests - could be Addison's disease but Professor thinks not. I had not had any real symptons, just tired (working long hours), dry skin but nothing else.

I was told it will be 6 months before I feel 'better' but not really sure what this means; perhaps a new spring in my step?

Does anyone else have Hypothyroidism and Addisons Disease?

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helvellaAdministrator

in reply to Lillly-Lou-la

5 years ago

Well the importance is that any blood taken to test for thyroid hormone (thyroxine/T4) would tend to show the peak from taking your tablet - rather than your 'real' average level. Thus it could be misleading.

We usually advise NOT to take levothyroxine in the 12 hours before having blood drawn. And then take the delayed dose as soon as possible thereafter - e.g. in the hospital car park!

By the way, do you take your levothyroxine well away from food, drink (other than water), supplements and other medicines? Many, many things interfere with absorption of levothyroxine and many newcomers do not realise.

Also, I assume you take yours in the morning? Some people take theirs at bed-time. There is a poll on this site but at this instant, the page is failing! Well worth a read.

You might wish to read this link:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoi...

Yes - it is a Wiki page so confirm anything you read there - but it is a decent starter. And I think you need to do a bit of reading up.

Rod