Thyroid/Synthroid

[largenlovely]

Or the generic ffor synthroid which is levothyroxine or something anyway...

My thyroid finally went kaput it has been on the verge of going out for years. I'm surprised it hasn't fully went out sooner being that I have little tumors on both sides. Anyway...I started the meds 2 days ago. Any advice? Thoughts? Helpful information? Anything would be helpful lol

Thanks in advance

[Diana_Prince245]

Originally Posted by largenlovely

Or the generic ffor synthroid which is levothyroxine or something anyway...

My thyroid finally went kaput it has been on the verge of going out for years. I'm surprised it hasn't fully went out sooner being that I have little tumors on both sides. Anyway...I started the meds 2 days ago. Any advice? Thoughts? Helpful information? Anything would be helpful lol

Thanks in advance

You should start of feel like you have more energy in about a week. Make sure you get your levels retested in about 6-8 weeks, you might need a higher dose. I did, even though I felt a bazillion times better on the lowest dose. Make sure you take it first thing with lots of water, and wait an hour before you eat if possible. You'll lose more hair when you first start taking it, but my hair loss is back to normal after 6 weeks.

[largenlovely]

Yikes, the hair loss thing sounds scary!!! Glad to hear it comes back though. I'm glad to hear I will get my energy back too. I have been sleeping 10 hours and still wake up groggy. I knew something was wrong cuz I was working out a whole lot and not losing any weight at all. In fact, I was gaining at times, which was crazy. Gotta letter saying my blood work was off and I figured that must be the problem. Will I ever be able to lose weight again? Lol

Originally Posted by Diana_Prince245

You should start of feel like you have more energy in about a week. Make sure you get your levels retested in about 6-8 weeks, you might need a higher dose. I did, even though I felt a bazillion times better on the lowest dose. Make sure you take it first thing with lots of water, and wait an hour before you eat if possible. You'll lose more hair when you first start taking it, but my hair loss is back to normal after 6 weeks.

[HDANGEL15]

Originally Posted by largenlovely

Yikes, the hair loss thing sounds scary!!! Glad to hear it comes back though. I'm glad to hear I will get my energy back too. I have been sleeping 10 hours and still wake up groggy. I knew something was wrong cuz I was working out a whole lot and not losing any weight at all. In fact, I was gaining at times, which was crazy. Gotta letter saying my blood work was off and I figured that must be the problem. Will I ever be able to lose weight again? Lol

I totally feel ya....i was the same way and about a month ago I doubly tested to make sure it was not in error....and thankfully....I was told it was my LOW THYROID & to take 75 mg LEVOTHYROXINE....and I must say immediately I felt perkier!!!

[largenlovely]

Oh sorry I just woke up and misread ur pm. I see u have already got it checked. He put me on 75mcg too. I'm on day 3 now and I think I may be starting to feel Kinda better. I hope anyway lol *fingers crossed*

Originally Posted by HDANGEL15

I totally feel ya....i was the same way and about a month ago I doubly tested to make sure it was not in error....and thankfully....I was told it was my LOW THYROID & to take 75 mg LEVOTHYROXINE....and I must say immediately I felt perkier!!!

[HereticFA]

If you become aware of any changes in how your heart feels or unusual increases in pulse rate not typical for your activity level, notify your doctor immediately. It could be the beginning of a irreversible heart damage. Especially be aware of any feelings that your heart is struggling to beat (or beats extremely HARD) or even that your heart doesn't slow down much after exertion or exercise.

I was on synthroid from age 9 to 12 (prescribed to help me lose weight). At age 12, I was awakened one night at about 2AM with a pulse rate of 175 to 190. Unfortunately I didn't tell anyone at the time. I just stopped taking the synthroid on my own. (I'm not sure whether or not anything more meaningful could have been done in the late 60's.) For the next few decades I learned to work with the feeling of discomfort in my heart and was even given an "all clear" by the cardiologist who saw me in my thirties but didn't do a stress test, just used a Holter monitor. I eventually went on to be diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia (VT) and had to get a pacemaker & defibrillator (ICD) installed at age 51. I later found the usual protocol for diagnosing heart problems at a NIH website that shows a stress test is not typically required for those under 50, which explains why I didn't receive one in my 30's when I went to the cardiologist the first time.

Apparently VT is a well known side effect of synthroid. If you're under the age of 50, you may not be given a stress test but a Holter monitor instead. Insist on the stress test. Even though the protocol doesn't include a stress test for those under 50, insist on it if you have taken synthroid and have heart palpitations or arrhythmias.

[Miss Vickie]

Originally Posted by largenlovely

Or the generic ffor synthroid which is levothyroxine or something anyway...

My thyroid finally went kaput it has been on the verge of going out for years. I'm surprised it hasn't fully went out sooner being that I have little tumors on both sides. Anyway...I started the meds 2 days ago. Any advice? Thoughts? Helpful information? Anything would be helpful lol

Thanks in advance

My endo has me take Synthroid -- period -- because she's seen wide variations in results with people who take the generic form. it's more expensive but I feel pretty well stuck.

Just remember that with thyroid medication you take it on an empty stomach, and certainly away from calcium or antiacids.. I keep it by the side of the bed with a glass of water and before my feet hit the floor in the morning, I've got in me. I've had pretty stable levels, despite gastric bypass and having my thyroid removed in 2008.

Good luck!

[largenlovely]

A girlfriend told me to take it with water, avoid milk and take it before eating too. My doc didn't mention all that!!! So last night I put a glass of water by my bed too and did the same thing. He put me on 75mcg to start with so hopefully it's the right number

Originally Posted by Miss Vickie

My endo has me take Synthroid -- period -- because she's seen wide variations in results with people who take the generic form. it's more expensive but I feel pretty well stuck.

Just remember that with thyroid medication you take it on an empty stomach, and certainly away from calcium or antiacids.. I keep it by the side of the bed with a glass of water and before my feet hit the floor in the morning, I've got in me. I've had pretty stable levels, despite gastric bypass and having my thyroid removed in 2008.

Good luck!

[Miss Vickie]

Originally Posted by largenlovely

A girlfriend told me to take it with water, avoid milk and take it before eating too. My doc didn't mention all that!!! So last night I put a glass of water by my bed too and did the same thing. He put me on 75mcg to start with so hopefully it's the right number

Yeah I'm pretty amazed at what people aren't told about taking thyroid meds. I had another nurse tell me to take how the way I do -- and it's made a huge difference. By the time I shower and get breakfast ready, it's been at least 30 minutes so I do very well with my absorption and then subsequent levels.

[largenlovely]

I've been taking them early in the morning. So I will jump right back into bed so I won't be tempted to have coffee lol

Originally Posted by Miss Vickie

Yeah I'm pretty amazed at what people aren't told about taking thyroid meds. I had another nurse tell me to take how the way I do -- and it's made a huge difference. By the time I shower and get breakfast ready, it's been at least 30 minutes so I do very well with my absorption and then subsequent levels.

[Miss Vickie]

Originally Posted by largenlovely

I've been taking them early in the morning. So I will jump right back into bed so I won't be tempted to have coffee lol

I usually do well if I put off coffee about a half hour, until I've had my shower and gotten ready. Even with a gastric bypass, I can absorb coffee (with milk).

Or, if you happen to wake in the middle of the night to pee, so much the better!

[Diana_Prince245]

Originally Posted by Miss Vickie

Yeah I'm pretty amazed at what people aren't told about taking thyroid meds. I had another nurse tell me to take how the way I do -- and it's made a huge difference. By the time I shower and get breakfast ready, it's been at least 30 minutes so I do very well with my absorption and then subsequent levels.

My mother, who's been on thyroid meds for 50 years, was the one who told me how to take it. It's weird that prescribers and pharmacists aren't fully doing their job when it comes to how to take thyroid. Every time I get my birth control filled, I get informed how to take it, but they hand me the thyroid pills and send me on my way.

[largenlovely]

Thanks for talking me through this y'all. I was less than thrilled that it went out, as I'm sure you all are too. I'm starting to get some energy back and the scale dropped 4lbs today. I'm glad they're already showing signs of helping. Tuesday will be a week. I guess the levothyroxine was just what I needed

[BBWTexan]

Glad to hear it's making you feel better! Just make sure to take it everyday and it will make all the difference in the world.

I've been on levothyroxine for about 7 years now and I'm on a pretty high dosage. Up until about 3 months ago, I was taking 250mcg per day (two 125mcg pills), but was just reduced slightly to 237mcg (one 125 and one 112). I'm pretty diligent about it, but there have been times in the past when I got lazy and I would notice the difference almost immediately.

Hope you keep getting good results, but make sure to get re-checked frequently because it will probably take a few adjustments before you find the exact dosage for you.

[largenlovely]

Originally Posted by BBWTexan

Glad to hear it's making you feel better! Just make sure to take it everyday and it will make all the difference in the world.

I've been on levothyroxine for about 7 years now and I'm on a pretty high dosage. Up until about 3 months ago, I was taking 250mcg per day (two 125mcg pills), but was just reduced slightly to 237mcg (one 125 and one 112). I'm pretty diligent about it, but there have been times in the past when I got lazy and I would notice the difference almost immediately.

Hope you keep getting good results, but make sure to get re-checked frequently because it will probably take a few adjustments before you find the exact dosage for you.

I am wondering if I may find it's not enough. It's definitely helping and maybe in another few weeks my energy levels will improve because they have improved over the last couple days, albeit slowly. And I may just need more time (which is likely) to get a regular amount in my system too but years ago when they put me on 25mcg I knew immediately that I didn't need to be on the meds yet. Right now I feel that It's helping but maybe I could stand going up to 100mcg. I guess the standard wait time is 4-6 weeks. I will make sure to go back and get re-tested and if I still feel sluggish and lethargic will let him know that as well. It sucks having to depend on meds for the rest of your life but I sure am glad they have them!!! Cuz being *that* tired was just horrible.

[NewfieGal]

It takes a few weeks to get in your system but when it does you'll feel like a new person... I've been taking it since I've been 19 I'm on the max dose of 300... take it the same time everyday on an empty stomach for the best results

[largenlovely]

Originally Posted by NewfieGal

It takes a few weeks to get in your system but when it does you'll feel like a new person... I've been taking it since I've been 19 I'm on the max dose of 300... take it the same time everyday on an empty stomach for the best results

Thanks Newfie...I'm so glad to hear everyone has done well on the meds, for the most part. It's comforting. So far so good for me glad everything seems to be improving day by day.

[Miss Vickie]

They really need to adjust thyroid meds slowly because of the potential for a thyroid storm, which is pretty serious. So they tend to start low, and go slow, and it can take weeks before you really know how well it's working. Even with me -- who has no thyroid due to cancer -- any changes they make are made incrementally and very slowly, with no further adjustments until weeks after the last adjustment was made and my labs have come back.

So just because you don't have a spring in your step now doesn't mean it's not working. It takes time, and believe me -- you want them to progress slowly with this stuff.

Hang in there.

[Ruby Ripples]

Originally Posted by Miss Vickie

They really need to adjust thyroid meds slowly because of the potential for a thyroid storm, which is pretty serious. So they tend to start low, and go slow, and it can take weeks before you really know how well it's working. Even with me -- who has no thyroid due to cancer -- any changes they make are made incrementally and very slowly, with no further adjustments until weeks after the last adjustment was made and my labs have come back.

So just because you don't have a spring in your step now doesn't mean it's not working. It takes time, and believe me -- you want them to progress slowly with this stuff.

Hang in there.

Hi Melissa! I was about to say what Vickie has above. My GP told me that I may not feel any difference for up to eight weeks. He was right, I didn't. I was started on 50mcg and was told that I would more than likely need a higher dose but that they couldn't start me on higher than 50mcg. They kept checking my bloods and increased it to 75mcg after three months - I was told I couldnt have my dosage increased any earlier, it was dangerous. Then three months after that it was increased to 100mcg. I have Hashimoto's which means my body destroyed my thyroid bit by bit, so over the last several years I've had stages where I was falling asleep whenever I sat down and realised my dosage needed increased again due to more of the thyroid having been destroyed. Cut a long story and several incidences like that short, I'm now on 200mcg per day and have been stable on that level for about four years. My numbers would show me to be slightly hyperthyroid now but I have absolutely no symptoms of that, and my GP said that I obviously sit at the higher end of the normal thyroid scale. I've had no problems with the medication and it's second nature now to take my tablets as soon as I get up.

You might feel better sooner if your results weren't bad, my levels were dangerously low by the time mine was discovered. I was sleeping 16 hours a day, was freezing all the time, had dry skin, hair falling out, swollen ankles, and a hundred other things. Hooray for Levothyroxine! lol

I love your Marilyn Monroe hair!

[largenlovely]

That kinda makes me nervous that he started me out on 75mcg then.....

I'm still lacking energy (thought I was coming down with something at first) but that's my worst symtpom. My cholesterol did jump up too, it went out at the same time on the same blood test that indicated my thyroid was out of normal range. I saw that can be related, so I'm assuming it is. I also noticed dry skin but I chalked it up to swimming a lot. I had excuses for everything until I was busting my ass at the gym 5-6 days a week for 1.5 hours and then going to my sister's and swimming laps for an hour in her pool and only consuming around 1400-ish calories a day and was losing zero pounds....zero. that's when I knew something was wrong.

My nails have also been very weak so I'm guessing that's related. It was actually the first thing I noticed a couple months ago. I chalked that one up to lots of surgeries the last year. Sooooo all signs pointed to a crappy thyroid. I just didn't put 2 + 2 together until I wasn't losing weight. The thing I want back the most is my energy though. Gah that sucks ass. It's getting better but it's not where it should be yet. But from what y'all say, there's still plenty of time for it to improve so that's good.

Thanks for the hair compliment lol...I never ever thought I would like short hair on me but I totally love this hairdo. I got it cut again yesterday so I think I'm gonna keep it forever lol

[Ruby Ripples]

Originally Posted by largenlovely

That kinda makes me nervous that he started me out on 75mcg then.....

I'm still lacking energy (thought I was coming down with something at first) but that's my worst symtpom. My cholesterol did jump up too, it went out at the same time on the same blood test that indicated my thyroid was out of normal range. I saw that can be related, so I'm assuming it is. I also noticed dry skin but I chalked it up to swimming a lot. I had excuses for everything until I was busting my ass at the gym 5-6 days a week for 1.5 hours and then going to my sister's and swimming laps for an hour in her pool and only consuming around 1400-ish calories a day and was losing zero pounds....zero. that's when I knew something was wrong.

My nails have also been very weak so I'm guessing that's related. It was actually the first thing I noticed a couple months ago. I chalked that one up to lots of surgeries the last year. Sooooo all signs pointed to a crappy thyroid. I just didn't put 2 + 2 together until I wasn't losing weight. The thing I want back the most is my energy though. Gah that sucks ass. It's getting better but it's not where it should be yet. But from what y'all say, there's still plenty of time for it to improve so that's good.

Thanks for the hair compliment lol...I never ever thought I would like short hair on me but I totally love this hairdo. I got it cut again yesterday so I think I'm gonna keep it forever lol

Things change all the time, i'm sure he wouldn't have started you on 75mcg if he felt it would be dangerous!

Yes I had raised cholesterol too. It went right back to normal when my thyroid levels stabilised. And the weak nails too, though mine are pretty crappy and weak anyway but they were positively bendy.

You will definitely feel better in the next several weeks, so try to be patient, I know it's hard when you feel like poo.

Ooh you need to post another pic of you with your shorter hair again!

[largenlovely]

Originally Posted by Ruby Ripples

Things change all the time, i'm sure he wouldn't have started you on 75mcg if he felt it would be dangerous!

Yes I had raised cholesterol too. It went right back to normal when my thyroid levels stabilised. And the weak nails too, though mine are pretty crappy and weak anyway but they were positively bendy.

You will definitely feel better in the next several weeks, so try to be patient, I know it's hard when you feel like poo.

Ooh you need to post another pic of you with your shorter hair again!

Well I'm just glad to be feeling a little less like poo I guess lol

I posted another pic in the lounge...a more casual one

[largenlovely]

Just an update...so far I love thyroid pills!!!! Lol

[Ruby Ripples]

Good! Me too

[CastingPearls]

That makes three of us. Make a wish!