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

[Laurajean1014]

I'm getting a copy of my blood work. I will post what my TSH and T4 Uptake are, for your viewing...........

 

[Laurajean1014]

I am hypo, been on synthroid for years. My symptom was cold, VERY cold. Now fine. Good wishes.

Dan,

Although men only account for less than 10% of thyroid diagnosed syndromes, it is growing at a very rapid pace.

I wonder why? (And women are getting more heart attacks) -

Are we becoming an empathetic world?

 

[Cyndiu]

My endocrinologist recommended this book and I found it very helpful!
http://half.ebay.com/cat/buy/prod.cgi?cpid=1231020895&domain_id=1856&meta_id=1

 

[Laurajean1014]

CyndiLu,

Are you hypothyroid too?

Seems we have a lot in common!

Sending you an email.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Can Synthroid cause flu like symptons? Teeth-chattering cold, sweaty, headache and exhaustion? I had these symptons since Thursday and slept over 40 hours in 3.5 days.

Now that I am better, I have constant nausea!

What's up with that? Or did I have the flu and the Synthroid is just getting a bad rap?

 

[Patty3]

I take Synthroid and I never had any of those symptoms. I am thinking you had some sort of flu bug. Are you taking this medicine on an empty stomach?

 

[Christine]

Can Synthroid cause flu like symptons? Teeth-chattering cold, sweaty, headache and exhaustion? I had these symptons since Thursday and slept over 40 hours in 3.5 days.

Now that I am better, I have constant nausea!

What's up with that? Or did I have the flu and the Synthroid is just getting a bad rap?

No, it is extremely rare to have side effects from Synthroid. Some people have allergies to the fillers they use but I've never heard them having symptoms such as yours. Sounds like you have a virus or something.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Yes, I am taking the meds on an empty stomach. I wake at 6:00, grab a pill and flush it with water. Then, have a light breakfast (oatmeal) around 9:00 am.

I believe I am following the instructions. The nausea is tough. Must be a flu-like thing.

 

[Christine]

Laura,
If the nausea does not go away after what would be a normal time for a virus, ask to have your thyroid medication changed to a brand called Levoxyl. It has a few less fillers and many people find they do better on different brands. It's still hard to believe the meds could be causing this but it would not be out of the realm of possibility I suppose.

For what it's worth, about 2 weeks ago, I contracted a mild case of food poisoning. I was nauseous on and off for almost 2 weeks. It was miserable. Just see how it goes for another week and if there is no improvement, call your doctor and ask for a switch.

 

[Laurajean1014]

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

 

[Christine]

Well, you are not "dangerously" low, but you are definitely hypothyroid! Wooo-weeee!!! I had my TSH as high as 148 and I was still functioning but it was pretty bad.

So, yes, you're definitely hypo (a *normal* TSH is anywhere between .5 and 3.0 or thereabouts).

 

[Laurajean1014]

How long before I "feel great" after taking Synthroid? Do the symptons of HT go away, subside or stay with you for life? Does the hair keep thinning as you take Synthroid or does it stop?

Help!

 

[DawnCt1]

How long before I "feel great" after taking Synthroid? Do the symptons of HT go away, subside or stay with you for life? Does the hair keep thinning as you take Synthroid or does it stop?

Help!

The reason you are symptomatic is because your thyroid gland, which really is like your "thermostat" is not producing thyroxin, a necessary hormone that you need to "run your body". Synthroid replaces what you are not producing yourself and when those blood levels are appropriate all of your symptoms should completely abate. It is necessary to continue taking the supplemenal hormone for the rest of your life. You cannot produce it and your thyroid gland won't even try as long as you are on Synthroid. You will get better but you must be consistant in your treatment with the medication and followup blood work to be sure that you are on the correct dosage.

 

[AuntieM03]

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.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I recall when I started on the synthroid, a good number of years ago, the doc started me at one dose, the lowest, then increased about every 6 or so weeks till my numbers were just slightly on the high side,, then back me down one level to where I am now. I think it was about 4 or 5 months in all.

 

[Laurajean1014]

If hair loss was a sympton, did it subside being on Synthroid or do we sit and wait for our hair to fall out?

 

[Christine]

If hair loss was a sympton, did it subside being on Synthroid or do we sit and wait for our hair to fall out?

It takes awhile depending how closely your doctor is monitoring you.

Usually, they will start you out at .25 mcg. They make you wait 6-8 weeks and they do another TSH. They keep upping your dosage every 2-3 months or so until your TSH gets to the right level. Whatever dose your doctor gives you may not be enough at this point. Also, the noticeable symptoms you have from hypothyroidism will take awhile to correct themselves. My doctor once told me that when you finally get your blood leves to the correct number, it takes the other parts of the body about 6 months to recover.

I know that when I go hypothyroid for my scans, they will remove me from my meds for about 6 weeks. I have my scan and go back on my meds. It's at that point, that I notice hair loss and it seems to go on for months, even though I'm back on the medication. So, it's kind of a delayed reaction.

 

[MouseClubMom]

I'm hypo and my hair falls out at an alarming rate. It does seem to stop for the most part when the doctor ups my dosage so I probably will see my levels increased at my next visit in April. When I first started on Synthroid I dropped weight like crazy but as soon as my Gyn started me on Progesterone tablets I gained it all back and more. Sigh.... I guess I can't win!

Synthroid doses do take a few weeks to get into your system so be patient and if you have any questions call your doctor.

Also you may want to check for Anemia - I am still always cold and my doctor blames my anemia instead of the hypothyroidism for that symptom.


MCMom

 

[Laurajean1014]

I'm currently on 1.0mg and this is my first crack at Synthroid. I'm hoping that this will be okay. I will know in May.

 

[Cyndiu]

I'm on .75mcg of Levoxyl. It took maybe 2 months before I noticed my symptoms had largely gone away. The hair loss, which had been extremely alarming, has stopped. Unfortunately, after an initial rush of weight loss, now its just as hard as it always was to lose weight! Oh well... at least I have my hair!