When does the brain fog clear?

[JKenton]

I was just wondering when people generally notice a return to normal senses.

During the past few years I've dealt with a steady increase in "brain fog", to the point where it started to interfere with my work and I started to lag behind on projects I was previously perfectly capable of doing. In the past nine months or so (during which time my other "you really do have a real thyroid problem" symptoms began to appear) this brain fog progressed to brief (usually no more than a few seconds), all out episodes of confusion, during which I'd be completely conscious, and otherwise feeling fine, but confused none the less. I would get turned around in familiar places, stare at an unfamiliar face on a magazine for five seconds before I realized it was the president, take far too long to figure out what the hell I'm looking at in general. Had to apologize to numerous friends because I "walked right passed" them and didn't notice them waving, and found myself eating off of some other person's plate at dinner.

I'm sure one of the only reasons I have yet to walk outside with no pants on is the fact that it's cold with no pants on.

I've been on 25MCG of synthroid for about two weeks. I'd like to think the fog has cleared a little, but I really need to have all of my facilities back soon.

TSH = 13.3
FT4 = 1.8 (mid range by lab's testing range)
FT3 = "normal"
Antibodies: Not sure current number. Previously above 200.

[goolarra]

Is this the first time you've been on meds (two weeks)?  Please post actual FT3 and FT4 results along with the reference ranges (these are lab specific and have to come from your own lab report).  Were these labs before starting meds?

When starting meds, the usual progression is for labs to get back into reference range.  Symptoms often linger once labs are back because your body needs time to heal...the longer you were hypo, the more symptoms you've been apt to accumulate, and the greater the length of time it's going to take to feel completely well again.  Also, the initial dose seldom ends up being your "ideal" dose, so adjustments are often necessary.  This is a somewhat slow process and requires a lot of patience as trying to rush it usually has the opposite effect.

We're all different, and so is our reaction to meds, so it's really hard to tell you when to expect seeing changes.  However, bear in mind that it takes 4-6 weeks for Synthroid to build in your system before you even reach stable lab levels.  So, I wouldn't expect a lot until closer to that time, and if you then need an increase, it might take even longer.

You have elevated antibodies, so you have Hashi's.  Your thyroid function will continue to decline over time.

Please post numbers, and we'll try to comment further.

[JKenton]

Sorry, I meant FT4 is 1.2, still normal range for my lab.