Diagnosed with Hypo-Thyroidism, any tips on this? UPDATE

[lisajl]

I was put on Levoxyl a couple of years ago. My bloodwork showed that I needed it but I really wasn't having any significant symptoms. Since going on the meds nothing really has seemed to change. I have no more energy than I did before, but now my bloodwork shows everything at the correct level. I was hoping it would help me lose weight, but I have actually had less success since going on it.

I'm in the same boat. Have not lost weight, starting to lose energy.
Had my bloodwork done recently, but all was within normal range.
I am thinking of going to a specialist.

There sure are alot of us Thyroid people here!!!

Lisa

 

[Christine]

Well, now it makes more sense as to why I have a really hard time falling asleep. My level indicated Hyperthyroidism, go figure, and I am still having a hard time losing weight. I thought that with Hyper you lose weight? I am so glad that I am more informed with my numbers. Thanks.

As our endocrinologist has told me, he sees several HYPER patients who have weight problems. It seems that when you are hyper, you appetite is also hyper and you end up eating more than you should. You probably don't even realize it.

I remember when my Synthroid was too much, I was absolutely ravenous.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Many Hypo become Hyper because of the med. Then they try to regulate you. This puts your metabolism in a downward spiral.

Hmmm, muscle related.... I have not yet had any muscle pains, outside the fact if I over-exercise or over do it. I'll have to research that one.

 

[crz4mm2]

Here's my latest update. Remember I had taken generic synthroid for awhile and my TSH was way up.... Went back to the endo and was placed on higher dose of synthroid and now after only 6 weeks my TSH is .80. My endo wants it right around 1 so this is 'perfect' (his words) for me. I feel soooo much better. Can actually get through the day without falling asleep. Constipation is much improved too.
I also am experimenting with the BP.... I ran out of meds over the weekend and could not get my refil (pharmacy was closed when I called- hours have been changed due to a sale of the pharmacy). So I figured one day without would not kill me. My endo DID tell me that perhaps my BP and Cholesterol would come down when we got the thyroid under control.... At any rate, I am on day 3 without BP meds and the BP is normal..... So far so good. I will continue to keep a very close eye on it. Don't worry too much everyone, I am a health care professional .
I have not had my cholesterol checked again yet, and won't for a few more weeks. But I will let you all know how it checks out when I do.

Good luck everyone. It is sometimes hard to get regulated, but my best advise is get a GOOD endo.

Cathy

 

[lisajl]

Cathy,

Glad things are getting back to normal for you.

I have been thinking of going to an endo. I just go to my G.P. right now, and they said my numbers were fine.
I just don't feel like I have the energy as I used to.

Maybe I need to check in to it more.

Thanks...Glad you are doing well!!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Cathy - Good Job!

My Cholesterol is up as well, but it does go down as my TSH levels go down. So, you are correct when saying that cholesterol is not a big thing. More important is getting your TSH leveled. And you achieved that, beautifully.

I am on 125mg and I have a few more weeks before I get my blood work done. Hopefully, I will have the same results.

 

[crz4mm2]

Cathy,

Glad things are getting back to normal for you.

I have been thinking of going to an endo. I just go to my G.P. right now, and they said my numbers were fine.
I just don't feel like I have the energy as I used to.

Maybe I need to check in to it more.

Thanks...Glad you are doing well!!

What are your "numbers"? My GP thought my numbers were fine too when the TSH was 5.74....... WRONG. THe newer guidelines are much much lower for the 'normal' range.....
My endo goes not only by the numbers but by how I actually FEEL!!! what a novel approach!
I wouldn't hesitate to see an endo if you have thyroid issues.
Good luck.
Cathy

 

[crz4mm2]

Cathy - Good Job!

My Cholesterol is up as well, but it does go down as my TSH levels go down. So, you are correct when saying that cholesterol is not a big thing. More important is getting your TSH leveled. And you achieved that, beautifully.

I am on 125mg and I have a few more weeks before I get my blood work done. Hopefully, I will have the same results.

Laurajean,
I hope you have the same results too!! It is much better to FEEL better!!
I hope the cholesterol will come down too. I do have a family history of high cholesterol so it won't surprise me if it is still high, BUT, only the total was high, everything else was "good"..... so that leads me to believe that I might have a chance

Cathy

 

[Laurajean1014]

Lisajl - My GP took blood and said I was okay at 6.05. I called my GP and had a discussion about it. My GP said it was still too high and put me on Synthoid.

Have a discussion with your GP to explain that the levels have lowered from 5.00 being normal to 1.00 being normal. Try a few websites to get the range and show your doc.

 

[lisajl]

What are your "numbers"? My GP thought my numbers were fine too when the TSH was 5.74....... WRONG. THe newer guidelines are much much lower for the 'normal' range.....
My endo goes not only by the numbers but by how I actually FEEL!!! what a novel approach!
I wouldn't hesitate to see an endo if you have thyroid issues.
Good luck.
Cathy

I have not been in since June, can't remember what my numbers are! So much has happened between now and then!
I have to make an appt for my annual so I will talk to them then.

Thanks for the input.
Lisa

 

[lisajl]

Lisajl - My GP took blood and said I was okay at 6.05. I called my GP and had a discussion about it. My GP said it was still too high and put me on Synthoid.

Have a discussion with your GP to explain that the levels have lowered from 5.00 being normal to 1.00 being normal. Try a few websites to get the range and show your doc.

Laurajean,
Thanks for this info. I have not read up on it like I should. As I posted before I need to go in for my annual and will definately talk to my GP then.
This is really ridiculous. I am hypo-thyroid and cannot lose any weight.
I am staying at the same weight. I am eating less, moving more and getting really angry about it.

I will check out the websites and try to find an endo on our health plan.
Thanks again.
Lisa

 

[Laurajean1014]

Laurajean,
Thanks for this info. I have not read up on it like I should. As I posted before I need to go in for my annual and will definately talk to my GP then.
This is really ridiculous. I am hypo-thyroid and cannot lose any weight.
I am staying at the same weight. I am eating less, moving more and getting really angry about it.

I will check out the websites and try to find an endo on our health plan.
Thanks again.
Lisa

I had just the opposite luck. My endo was not ready my chart, so I went to my GP and he prescribes my Synthryoid.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Okay, my thyroid is okay (taking Sythroid .125) but my cholesterol is 225! Ouch. My endo wants it down.

What's the best way to lower your cholesterol?

 

[Towncrier]

Zocor works for me. I take it along with synthroid and have had excellent results.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I'm going to try to lower it with/out drugs. I'm on two different meds and don't want to take a third.

Do you like Zocor?

 

[lowie]

I think you might have your numbers backwards. The higher the TSH the lower the thyroid function. I guess every test I have had said that your TSH should be between .5 and 5.

OMG, how did you function at all? at 10 i was like a zombie.

 

[lowie]

Christine - Thank you for your post.

Here are my blood results:

T3, Total - 101
T4, Free - .06
TSH - 26.62
Thyroglobulin AB - >90
Tyroid Peroxidase AB - >70

Folate Serum - 7.4

Experts - what do you think?

Doc said it was "dangerously low" and put me on Synthroid 1.0

isn't the deal that the higher your TSH the lower your actual thyroid function? the TSH is antibodies to your thyroid.. so, i guess he meant that your thyroid function is low.
take your meds and NEVER stop without seeing your doctor, also try very hard to NOT skip days..

 

[Christine]

isn't the deal that the higher your TSH the lower your actual thyroid function? the TSH is antibodies to your thyroid.. so, i guess he meant that your thyroid function is low.
take your meds and NEVER stop without seeing your doctor, also try very hard to NOT skip days..

TSH measurement is not antibodies.

Your pituitary gland produces TSH in response to your thyroid function. Consider your thyroid gland a horse-drawn covered wagon, and the pituitary gland is the guy driving the wagon. When the horses slow down and don't want to pull the wagon, the driver starts whipping them. Consider the "whipping" your TSH. The slower the wagon goes, the more the horses get whipped. So, the slower your thyroid works, more TSH gets secreted by the pituitary gland to, hopefully, get that thyroid moving. So, the higher your TSH, the worse your thyroid function.

After I had my thyroid gland removed, I had to go hypothyroid for a treatment. Since I have no gland, you can imagine what my TSH was--148!!!

 

[Laurajean1014]

TSH measurement is not antibodies.

Your pituitary gland produces TSH in response to your thyroid function. Consider your thyroid gland a horse-drawn covered wagon, and the pituitary gland is the guy driving the wagon. When the horses slow down and don't want to pull the wagon, the driver starts whipping them. Consider the "whipping" your TSH. The slower the wagon goes, the more the horses get whipped. So, the slower your thyroid works, more TSH gets secreted by the pituitary gland to, hopefully, get that thyroid moving. So, the higher your TSH, the worse your thyroid function.

After I had my thyroid gland removed, I had to go hypothyroid for a treatment. Since I have no gland, you can imagine what my TSH was--148!!!

Nice analogy, Christine.

I haven't had my TSH done since my last blood test. Better get it checked.

I started Metaformin a few weeks ago to generate my insulin better.