How to feel better? When will the drugs work?

[EN24]

I went back for my endo appointment this week, and my TSH is now 141.  I was prescribed 150 mcg of synthroid.  When can I expect that to start working?  And how long does it take to start feeling better?

Also, has anyone found anything that works to relieve some of the symptoms (fatigue, coldness, fog).  Does exercising help?  

[EN24]

Thanks for all your comments everyone!  It's so nice to have a place to ask questions.  I'm doing well after 4 days on the 150 mcg.  The only side effect so far is that I'm really hungry all the time.  I try to go for walks and to get moving every day, so hopefully I'll have more energy soon.  I will definitely look into the T3 and T4 and ask my doctor to test for those at my next appointment.  Thanks again!

[AR-10]

My TSH dropped 40 points in a week, so yes, once you are on a dosage that provides enough T4, your TSH can drop very fast.

It's possible to be down around 1.0 in a month, although it may take longer. Even then it will take a few months for some of the symptoms to depart.

You should start feeling better within a week or so. It may take a year to get your levels stable and let your body heal before you feel back to normal.

[Renata2020]

My TSH was over 100 as well when I went hypo after RAI.  They started me on 100mcg and after a few weeks when my doctor visually saw how much I was suffering, they had me finish that script by taking 150 a day.  In one months time the TSH dropped from over 100 into the 20's so it moved a lot.  The point I am trying to make is for me at least, TSH made a huge drop in one months time.  I am still hypo and trying to get out of hypo he//!

[stella5349]

The jump for 75mcg to 150 mcg was big - You would have a problem with symptoms with this kind of hike.

Very informative above on the T4 t3 conversion - thyfromhe// has done good research.

You need to find out your conversion levels though. a Free T3 and Free T4 is needed to find that out.

With a 137 TSH you are suffering for sure. Levo does not seem to be helping with getting the TSH to a proper range for you. Normally a 1.0-1.5 to "feel good" but the reference ranges to be Euthryoid is .3-3.0. You are far from that - and aren't going to see those ranges for sometime.

I switched from Synthroid to Armour in Oct 07. I am now sub clinical at a TSH of 3.34. I still an shooting for 1.2 range. My MD has given me full control of my Armour - he believes I know what I need to take to get there. I now take 90mcg and will see where I am at on April 10.

WALK EVERYDAY AT LEAST 30 MINUTES - getting that seritonin moving is helpful. for moods, energy . Seritonin is the "good " hormones and helps they others work properly.

I started and it really helps. I used to walk 3 miles a day under 42 minutes and that is when I felt grrrrreat.

Do it!

[thyroidfromhell]

I would HIGHLY recommend researching combined T3/T4 therapy.  These idiot doctors don't know what the hell they are doing.  I went to 5 "endocrinologists", I have 14 thyroid books and finally found a D.O. that knows what he is doing.  T3 is the most potent form of thyroid hormone, it is what each and every cell needs.  T4 is the prohormone/precursor to T3.  T4 should convert to T3, via the deiodinase enzyme.  What if it doesn't?  TSH should only be a guide.  I would be dead if I had continued on the low dose of T4 they had me on.  I am not exaggerating, I was on death's door.  Fortunately, I read vast amounts of data, came to the conclusion that Armour Thyroid was the best method of treatment.  Armour has T4, T3, T2, T1.  Most doctors are indoctrinated to use what the pharmaceutical industry crams down their throats, which in this case is the much cheaper to produce T4.  At the very least, I would say get on a T3/T4 combo.  There is AMPLE evidence for this.  Any endo that doesn't realize this does not deserve the title "endocrinologist".  In my experience, the books have been right in their assessment that "Most endocrinologists know how to treat diabetes and dabble in thyroid".

Check out www.drlowe.com and search for their thyroid info.

Also:  http://www.beaconcompounding.com/pharmacy_content/s_adrenal/adrenal_main.htm

Good luck!!!!!!!!!

[EN24]

Thanks, nellster.  I have noticed a decrease in the "fogginess" after two weeks on 50 mcg... we will see how the 150 goes.  I've also noticed that I have an appetite again, which is weird!  I had forgotten what hunger felt like.  Before I would just get sleepy and realize I hadn't eaten in a while (even though I'm overweight).  Now I feel the actual pangs in my stomach.  I don't know if this is due to the synthroid or just a mental thing.. .but it is nice.  

I hope you are well.

[nellster]

hi.  I think everyone is different.  to give you an idea.....my tsh was 129 and I only started on 50 mcg of synthroid and really began to notice subtle changes the first week.  went to 75 after 4 weeks then up to 150 after 8 weeks.  the 150 was too much for me...i had a racing heart, major mood swings amongst other symptoms. moved down to 125 and soon to go back up but only to 137.

post again after you are on it a week or so and let us know how you are.  call your Dr if you start to feel out of sorts.  He/she needs to know if you aren't feeling right.

feel better soon...........