Thanks Jack and Lou73!!
Jack, having read the details in your original 'old git' post to the new you has made me feel quite positive about things. Until a few days ago, I had no idea that all my problems were connected and then the word 'hypothyroid' came into my life. I got home and read up about and cried tears of relief when I found the symptoms rang true - I thought it was just the way I was, and had no idea that treatment was possible. I've obviously been like this for some time given when the problem was first diagnosed, but now it's in another league!!
I'm 29 going on 69. I used to pride myself on being able to remember friends' anecdotes, their workmates and flatmates etc and now sometimes I can't recall entire conversations. I look at my mobile and see I've had text conversations that feel like I'm reading the messages for the first time.
I crawl out of bed to work - and that's part-time, god knows how any of you are holding down full-time jobs - and I wonder if the power-that-be are aware that a half-human, half-slug hybrid is on the loose. Sometimes I can't speak properly and stumble over long words - this is particularly annoying as I'm an English teacher. I study part-time and my last assignment was a bad joke - or a good one, depending on your sense of humour!! - and I'm surprised to see I've already read a book chapter when I find my notes in it.
I used to enjoy the gym, but haven't been in ages now, and even back then I thought it was normal to go to bed after a good workout - I just assumed everyone else did it too!! At the weekend, I can sleep up to 14 hours a day - I just thought I was really lazy; and so did everyone else. Bed exists solely for sleeping, and no other activity. I haven't put my hair up since I lost a coin sized patch of hair at the back of my head. I think my party trick could be to chill a bottle of white wine in less than a minute, using my hands alone!!
But as you say, Jack, knowledge is power, and right now I'm trying to become omnipotent!! The more I know, the more questions I can ask, the more answers I'll get, and the easier this whole thing will become.
I still don't know why my dosage is so high, but I've made an appointment to see my GP on Mon and have a whole battery of questions to ask him - written down of course!!
Blood work came back as follows : TSH 45.38 (0.4-4), Free T4 6.4 (10-22)
There's no mention of T3, should there be? Lipids are raised (have been for a long time) but don't know if that's related to being hypothyroid or just down to my family history (cholesterol central on my Dad's side). Antibodies are above range too, but I suppose that could be down to any number of things.
So I'll take my silver linings - free prescriptions, and my being overweight is glandular, doncha know? - and look forward to feeling brighter and better. I'll continue to check in to these forums as I still have a lot to learn, and maybe one day I'll be in a position to advise someone as kindly as you have, Jack and Lou73.
