Post surgery needing meds

[rr80]

I had surgery in january for partial thyroid removal due to severe graves disease. My follow up results show i need to start taking thyroxine. My TSH levels were 42.70 and free level of 6. not sure what these mean but my dr said i am now major underactive. i have noticed a few symptoms but so far i havent put any weight on. this is my main concern. i have also heard a few horror stories about how difficult it is to get used to thyroxine. I'm 26, living in england and had my surgery on the nhs. Any advice this is my worst nightmare so far as recovery until now has been really good.

[rr80]

My doctor wants to leave me without meds for a while longer to see if my body can re-adjust itself in anyway. Fine in theory but i'm constantly tired and always cold. Is ther any chance of it righting itself without meds???

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

You need thyroid hormone replacement (thyroxine)- most people do well with this -- adjusting the dose every 6 weeks until stable (usually takes about 3 months to balance out).