Hi I've just been diagnosed with an under active thyroid about 6 weeks Ago. Initially I went to see my gp about my joints aching and told her I'd previously seen a doctor and they ran tests which were normal when she looked she said last time which was about 3,years ago my thyroid was seriously under active and doesn't know why it wasn't picked upon so she ordered another test. That came back and it was still the same a little worse so she started me on 25mg levothyroxine which I've took for 6 weeks I've just been to see the doctor today and he said it's improved it was 25.5 now it's 12.75. So he's upped my dose to 50mg. However I'm quite concerned if my thyroids been under active without treatment for that long could u have any long term damage?
I wouldn't have thought you would suffer any long term damage if any at all. I dont think three years is that long in the grand scheme of things. It's usually when you are over-medicated with thyroid meds thay damage can be caused. It sounds like your doctor is monitoring you closely and gradually increasing the dose which is the best way to do it. Speaking from experience, it's easier to increase gradually than it is to reduce a dose the symptoms can be quite hard going.
Leah, I reckon I had hypothyroidism from the age of 14 but it wasn't diagnosed until I was 28, I'm now 54. My TSH on diagnosis was 174. Does this put your mind at rest a bit?
Hello Leah:
My name is Shelly and I am a nurse in the USA. I have Hashimoto's thyroid disease since 1987.
It is a shame that happened to you.
The thyroid will make a Goiter or swelling at the base of neck where your thyroid is, if major damage is done. This can take many of years without treatment. Don't forget you made some just not enough. It takes a very long time to cause huge damage.
Make sure you take your thyroid med without food and wait 1 hour before eating Food blocks the medication in the bowel. Most people are on 75mcg to 150mcg of Levo and they can tell by blood tests how your thyroid is doing.
It can take a while to build a proper level and it can be 6 to 12 weeks each time you switch doses.
Taking a multivitamin with iron is good as long as you take it 4 hours after your Levo. We need good Ferritin and we get that from Iron to make Levo work well.
I hope this helps, any questions just ask.
Shelly