Brain Fog/Fatigue: Does it Ever Go Away?

[Craniac3]

I was diagnosed hypo/Hashi's at the end of April 2007. I have been on Synthroid since, and my numbers are well within range.

Why am I still so tired??? Will it ever go away? I have had numerous other tests that have ruled out adrenal fatigue, B12 deficiency, etc., so I don't believe it is another medical issue.

I find that I am so tired that I can't be bothered to think, hence the brain fog. People are telling me important things and I am getting the main drift, but the not the details, which end up being important.

Will this go away at some point? Please say yes, otherwise I'm going to sign up to be my mother's roommate at the nursing home...  :-)

[rohit_786]

Well i did tapper it down from 30mg every day and then 30 mg alternate days and skip for two days and then stop . I don't know i feel like Zombie , no energy  no motivation , flu like symptoms.
My doctor told me today to stop taking Levoxyl for 4 days to see if my symptoms get better , he thinks i am in Hyper side as my current TSH came  out 0.407 which is Hyper side although it is in range . I am tired with this all drama of TSH every time i am really giving up my life every day .
Thanks for every one giving me such a great moral support.

[Newbee2000]

Apparently cymbalta withdrawl can cause lots of horrible symptoms from night sweats to cardiac issues to ataxia to balance issues to loose stools to skin ulcer, to anxiety and on and on. You should be weaned off it, not just stop cold turkey. The MD who prescribed it should be assisting you! Is that MD helping you withdraw from the cymbalta or the side effects? I'd call that MD and tell him/her how horrible you feel. Also, mention your racing pulse!!!  I don't have much advice, other than what my orthopedist told me recently regarding hypothyroid induced neuropathies and some other thyroid symptoms: that it can take up to six months with your thyroid levels/tsh constantly in the normal range before the symptoms improve and go away. I hope you'll feel better soon!!

[rohit_786]

I am struggling with my numbers for last May 2006 , in my last test my TSH was 1.1.0 FT4 1.68 but still have constant fatigue /headaches lethargic feeling . I went doctor today again they ran my Thyroid panel test again to see where i stand .According to them my symptoms are related to Cymbalta withdrawal which is started last month as i have not taking cymbalta for last 30 days .
I went to play snooker today , you guys don't believe within 30 minutes i started sweat feel like fall down any time so much weak and fatigue .
My heart rate was 122 last night average of 3 times i have taken. I have more frequent bowl movement ,more floaters headache and too much muscles and joint ache.
Is this sound like an Hper symptoms . I don't know , how much more i should wait to get my decent life back.

[MJ13]

OOPS......I meant I felt hyper symptoms....not hypo....FAR from hypo!!!

[MJ13]

OOPS......I meant I felt hyper symptoms....not hypo....FAR from hypo!!!

[MJ13]

My TSH has to be below .1 for cancer supression.  It's been almost a year since my surgery and RAI.  I still don't think I've found a comfortable dosage for my levothyroxine.  I was at 150 mcg for a few months and continually felt typical hypo symptoms, especially insomnia, lack of focus, and heart palpitations.  My endo is letting me take 125 mcgs every 4 days.  I've been alternating the dosage level for 2 months and don't feel any difference.  I have some blood work due in the next few weeks, then my first annual WBS in January.  I'm hoping and praying my dosage can be lowered because my quality of life is kinda sucky right now.

[Newbee2000]

I have hashi hypothyroid since early 2007. I was recently told my by orthopedist (who has been much more helpful than my endo MD) that many symptoms such has hypo induced neuropathies may not improve/resolve UNTIL your thyroid levels are in the right range for up to 6 months!!!! I've had tsh 1 for two months and some of my symptoms have improved, some have gone away completely but many still linger!! Because they need more time to heal!  Try to get your thyroid levels in the normal range for several (or 6) months before you worry and/or seek other medical treatments. I do believe recovery takes time!!!! I also had a terrible mind fog and memory problems when my tsh was high (it was turning me into an idiot), but that is gone now!!! Best wishes!

[kitty9309]

I agree about the TSH varying by 0.75 for a given individual. It makes sense and everyone can read more in this article:

http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/90/9/5483

I am seeing psychiatrist for anxiety related to Hashi's. She says it is related and that my previous "normal results" were not normal for me. She said mood issues resolve in 2-3 months AFTER i get to MY normal TSH. Not many doctors will go out on a limb and suggest this is true.
I am thankful she understands.

[Craniac3]

Thanks for your responses. I have been having my TSH/Free T4 & T3 checked around 4-6 weeks since diagnosed. I think my TSH 2 times ago was .57. I decided maybe that was too low for me, so I started taking only 1/2 pill on Sundays, which raised the TSH up to .97, but dropped the T3 a little. From my understanding, the T3 is kind of the "energy" reading, so I went back to taking full pills 7 days (88 mcg)

My B12 was only 300ish, so maybe that is my problem if optimal is 800. I was taking sublingual B12 tablets for a while, but GERD was bad, so stopped taking anything I thought might aggravate it.

As Rosanna Danna's grandmother used to say, "It's always something!!" (boy, did I just give away my age, or WHAT?)

[icesk8ermom]

You may also look at what your levels were for B12, ferritin etc.  Just because you are in the range does not mean it is a "normal" level for your body.  

I my B12 came back as in the range at 441, but the recommended level to be at is 800. My ferritin came back the same way at 41 but the recommended level is 70-80.

Just something else to think about...

[Applecore]

Just another thing I meant to mention.  I was also diagnosed in April, 2007.  I had anxiety and couldn't hardly function.  It has taken this long for me to get my act together.  I am still not functioning at normal for me levels.  linda

[Applecore]

I have a tsh of 3.5 and I still feel yucky plus!  Graveslady told me that it takes time for you to adjust and so I am waiting.  I believe that yes we will get to feeling better than this or I too would give up.  I think what AR10 said is probable true - we have to find out exactly what level we feel good at.  I guess what we eat has something to do with it to.  We all eat differently and that too affects our  bodies.   It seems as though all of us that feel the same way can't all be wrong.  If normal range from the labs were normal for all of us than we would all feel normal wouldn't we.  Sounds like a children's tongue twister.   lolove linda

[Venora Moonwind]

what is normal  range for others may not be your normal range I do great at .1but I have to 200 mcg of levthyroxine but I dont care as long as I feel good which I do now. Bug your doctor to increase your dosage till you feel better. Never mind what the numbers say. everybody is different. ar-10 is right on with his theory.
Love  Venora

[AR-10]

How often are you being tested?
What are your numbers?

I read some doctoral presentation the other day that stated that a variance in your TSH of .75 was significant enough to throw your body out of whack.

This is a theory I have been working on, so take it with a grain of salt (non-iodized). :)

If your body has plugged along for thirty years with a TSH hovering around one, and then every thing goes whacky, your doctor is going to try to get your TSH within "normal limits". He doesn't know what your body was used to for years, because he has no baseline reading to look at.

So he sees that normal parameters is between .35 and 5.0, and when you get to 2.5 he is ready to claim victory. But your body wants to be at 1.0, and the difference between 1.0 and 2.5 is enough to make you still feel out of balance and have symptoms of hypothyroidism.

I see so many posts where people have "normal" test results and yet feel bad, that I wonder if this is a contributing factor.

If my "theory" is correct, your body could be looking for a TSH of anywhere from 0.1 to 7.0, and until you find a med dosage that puts you in the "sweet spot", you are going to have symptoms.

Just a whacky idea I have come up with after reading so many accounts of people not getting better even though their bloodwork is perfect. Could be completely wrong.

Hope you find an answer.