HI.just been started on Levothyroxine

Hormones
1

To give you a little bit of history,I've been unwell for about 3 years now.Docs keep giving me blood tests for Hypothyroidism,Diabetes,Coeliacs,Amaemia etc etc but all come back clear apart from the Aneamia ...and Hypopthyroidism which always comes back as borderline.I went back to my GP for recent blood test results and he said it was the lower end of normal.I reminded him that it's like this for 3 years now and I'm still feeling ill.I have all the usual symptms of Hypothyroidism-tired,lethargic,cold feet,weight gain not through change in diet or overeating,aching leg muscles,headaches,feet hurt to stand,aching joints etc etc, so he said he will give me a script for Levothyroxine for a couple of months and see how it goes.I have been taking 50mcg for 2 weeks now and don't feel any different,in fact I feel more tired and can barely get out of bed,worse than usual and I sleep for about 12 hours!

Heachaces have got less but still getting them and feet are still freezing.I realise this takes time to reverse if it is due to Hypothyriodism.

I'm just worried that it may not be my thyroid gland and it could be something else.

Why does the thyroid gland suddenly stop working?

I also recently found out that my mother is also on Levo for Hypothryoidism and has been for a few years.I don't have contact with her so didn't know this and when my GP asked if there was anyone else in my family with it I said no because to my knowledge there isn't/wasn't.

I've read the book by Broda Barnes and have been taking my BBT which is always low,even this morning after two weeks of meds it's still the same,around 95/96F.

I guess I'm looking for some reassurance from people who have been where I am now.

Is 50mcg too low? I've read that you should increase slightly and slowly.

What is the average time it takes for people to start to feel better?

Does Thyroid replacement ever really work 100%?

How low is a low BBT?

Im a worrier :-/

Anyway,thanks for reading and I look forward to any replies. Very Happy

2

Hi

50mcg is a standard starting dose for Levo, 2 weeks is no time at all so you won't have any posotive effects yet. It takes on average 4-6 weeks for the Levo to kick in and you will no doubt be having a blood test around that time and if needed an increase in dose.

It's quite common to feel worse before feeling better as your body needs to adjust to the meds.

A fairly average dose is 125 - 150 mcg but it takes many months to get to a stable dose that makes you feel well.

You want to aim for a TSH of 1 or below, T3 in the middle of the range and T4 at or near the top of the range. Ranges depend on where you live as they are different.

Take the Levo at least 30 mins before food and drink in the morning and don't take any iron or vits at the same time.

Levo does work and if you are Hypo then you have no choice but to replace the missing hormone. Some people find they get on better with a natural replacement like Armour but currently there is a world wide shortage and many docs won't prescribe it anyway, so you need to give the Levo a good chance to work.

I wouldn't stress too much over the temp, some peeps are naturally low so it's difficult to make sense of it.

Do get regular blood tests and keep the results so you can keep track of what's going on.

Good luck

3

Thank you for your reply.It's very helpful.I thik I just need some reassurance really.It's all new to me and it's a bit scary to be honest.

4

I too have just been diagnosed with having low thyriod levels after going to the doctor and asking for tests. Heayy heavy periods, depression, weight gain, tiredness, thinning hair and disappearing eyebrows, cold, mental fog, forgetfullness .... the full range of symptoms !!

I am on 50 mg Levo for 3 weeks now and I don't see a difference yet, but hopeful.

My question is I was phoned to say initial blood results returned and thyriod levels were low, had bloods done for autoimmune antibodies, these came back ok .

When I spoke to the doctor again, I was confused because the antibodies were ok it was like I don't have a problem but she put me on the levo to see if it made a difference !!??

Can you have thyriod trouble without the autoimmune side?