Underactive thyroid

[Summerthecat]

Underactive thyroid and treatment

[bantam12]

What do you want to ask ? Suggest you join the ThyroidUK forum for advice and info.

[TaraJR]

I assume you want help with underactive thyroid?

If so, join Thyroid UK Health Unlocked. They're the best forum or group around

healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

[Summerthecat in reply to TaraJR]

Hi, I'm new to all of this. I have recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and Hashimotos. I've been feeling increasingly unwell with all the classic symptoms of a underactive thyroid for several years and my condition has been described as subclinical hypothyroidism for the last 5 or so years. After my last blood test in January of this year My Gp prescribed a starting dose of 25mcg levothyroxine, this has been increased to 50mcg just one week after the Gp appt, apparently this had been reviewed by a more senior doctor and suggested 50mcg is a more suitable starting dose. I have no blood tests booked as my Gp insists on testing TSH after 3 months when first starting levothyroxine to give it time to kick in. However, I am seeing that blood tests should be done more regularly when first starting on medication to check levels? I have queried this with my Gp and received a message from one of the receptionists to say, a blood test will be booked in 2 - 3 months time. Can anyone please shed some light on this as I'm finding the advice from my Gp practice very vague.Thanks In advance.

[TaraJR in reply to Summerthecat]

It's a lot to learn. But on the Health Unlocked Thyroid UK forum, you'll get masses of help. You need a test after 6 to 8 weeks until your results are GOOD, and your symptoms are going. 3 months is too long.

Bear in mind that drs get very little training in thyroid conditions - it's pretty bad. So getting on to the best forum is really important.

Please post on there, as on here people won't have the expertise

healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

[Summerthecat in reply to TaraJR]

Thanks for your reply TaraJR. It's all quite complex but I'm learning as I go along, I'm beginning to realise how little Gps know on Thyroid disease, it is truly awful. I had read on here and other forums that 3 months is a long time to wait between blood tests, especially when first starting on medication and not on a sufficient dose - unfortunately my GP seems very reluctant to test any earlier than 3 months, I'll ask to bring it forward in a couple of weeks time as I've only started on levothyroxine 3 weeks ago. I'll also post on the other forums, I need all the help and advice I can get.

Thanks again for your advice.

[TaraJR in reply to Summerthecat]

I can't recommend Thyroid UK Health Unlocked forum highly enough. It's by far the most well informed forum or group. There are some good Facebook groups, but some are not! The best one I know is Thyroid HUB UK. But absolutely you must post on TUK HU forum! I'll look out for you on there!

[Summerthecat in reply to TaraJR]

Thank you so much... see you there 😊

[TaraJR in reply to Summerthecat]

😊 Also look at the Thyroid UK website. In my book it's the very best one.

Between the TUK website and their Health Unlocked forum, I got my life back. Literally I think, as well as figuratively.

[Summerthecat in reply to TaraJR]

It's good to know you've found so much support in getting your life back and feeling your best, it's very reassuring. It can certainly feel like a very lonely place living with a thyroid condition, In my case Hashimotos- not many people have heard of it. I'll definitely check out TUK website.

Thank you.

[TaraJR in reply to Summerthecat]

The general public don't seem to know much about thyroid conditions at all. Even though they're quite common.Hashis is the most common of underactive thyroid.

Once you get on the TUK HU forum, everyone will be talking your language!