How long did you feel better after starting you Synthroid meds?

2 months post op hemithryroidectomy.  Very fatigued, no energy (lethargic), brain fog (fuzzy feeling, can't get words out to say them, feels like you are in a different zone), irritable, lower sex drive, etc.

TSH is 5.92, (our labs range is .27 -5.0)starting on 50 mcg Synthroid.  GP wants to start out very conservative.  42 yo male. My questions:

For those of you on Synthroid, how many days/weeks did it take for you to start feeling
a) somewhat better
b) totally better (if one can quantify what totally better means!)
c) or maybe you aren't better yet!

Anyhow, your thoughts on those specific things would interest me.

Thank you.

[ChitChatNine]

I am 5 mos post op partial thyroidectomy with a TSH goal of 0.5-1.0 for Cancer supression of other side of gland.  Turns out the other half isn't working anyway so on it not by choice but that is ok.

For those of you on Synthroid, how many days/weeks did it take for you to start feeling

a) somewhat better --> 8 weeks ... I had adjustment periods of a good 3 weeks with ea. med adjustment upwards.  The last adjustment left me on the edge of hyper symptoms .... but not quite enough to toss in the towel and then another 3 weeks later it all came together and I feel better than before my thyroid issues surfaced!!!!!!!

b) totally better (if one can quantify what totally better means!) --->  3.5 mos. and my prior subclinical hypo symptoms have improved a good 50% (constipation, dry skin,  etc.)

c) or maybe you aren't better yet!

Cheryl (2 small pap cancer found incidental to the 2 benign nodules that FNA'd atypical follicular cells .. 1/07)

[shaerich]

a) somewhat better
- I never felt bad prior to my TT.  I was "euthyroid" according to my GP even though my T4 was SLIGHTLY low.

b) totally better (if one can quantify what totally better means!)
-I say I never felt bad, which is true... but I have to say that post TT I feel better than I have in a LONG time.  Not sure why, but it's true.  About 5 days after starting Levoxyl, I started to have more energy than I have had since I had my first baby in 2005.  

c) or maybe you aren't better yet!

[Jenipeni]

a) somewhat better
It took me somewhere between 7 - 9 weeks and my TSH was about 0.70 then.

b) totally better (if one can quantify what totally better means!)
Probably 12 weeks (3 months) or more - still kept getting gradually better for the next few months after that (6 months post TT now).  Still getting dose stabilised but feeling somewhat okay.

c) or maybe you aren't better yet! - heaps better than I was.

Your TSH is still slightly high - most doctors want thier patients to get near 1.0 - 2.0 after hemi or total thyroidectomy because that's where the majority of people report feeling their best.  Any mention of this?

You should print off the prescribing information for Synthroid as this is something you will have to manange for the rest of your life (unless the half that is left springs back to life sufficiently).  Changes in your weight, some foods and some medications can all affect your dose of Synthroid - don't expect your doctor to remember to tell you all of it.

Synthroid has a good patient focused web site.
http://www.synthroid.com/

Prescribing info...
http://www.rxabbott.com/pdf/Synthroid.pdf

Best wishes and wellness to you!
Cheers,
~Jen

[ChitChatNine]

I went from .25 to .50 to .75 to .88mcgs

When TSH went more hypo I was 3.8 and on 50mcgs so they knew something wasn't right and that my other lobe wasn't working.  My pre surgery was subclinical symptoms @ 2.4 and now I'm 1.1 .. next test in about a week and probably dropped to 0.9 or 1.0 is my estimate.

C~

[1547]

Thanks Jenni. I am aware of those things.  I have researched tons.  By the way, I would disagree that most doctors want the 1.0-2.0 range.  Most doctors, ie those who are not as up to date, are happy with the "within range" mode, from what I have researched and experienced.  A number of more cutting edge docs seem to prefer the lower numbers, that is for sure.

Can I also ask what dosings you fine people are on/have progressed from?

Thanks.

[CiCi245]

I have Hoshimotos plus hypothyroidism. I felt a immediate difference within two days.Had more energy and felt a sense of well being. I kinda feel I want more then 50 mg's.Had weight gain and puffy face that my regular intern couldnt figure out because my ths was pretty normal to him (4.0). After talking to Endo Doc he said they dont like to see anything over 3.But all in all I never realized how bad I felt till I starting feeling good:)

[MSKITTY70]

I HAVE HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS AND MY TSH LEVEL WAS 15.34  HOW BAD IS THAT?  HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET BACK TO FEELING BETTER.  MY DR PUT ME ON 100 MCG TO START.  RIGHT NOW MY THYROID HURTS REALLY BAD.  I HAVE SWELLING IN THE JOINTS AND PAIN.  BAD FORGETFULLNESS.  AS WELL AS SEVERE FATIGUE.  AND CRAMPING IN MY MUSCLES.  I HAVE GAINED SO MUCH WEIGHT I DON'T RECOGNIZE MYSELF AND JUST GENERALLY FEEL LIKE ****.