Is it working?

[kree8ive_krazee]

I started Synthroid on February 5 of this year. I don't know if it is working because I still have a hard time losing and maintaining weight and my hair is still falling out (even on 6000 mcg of Biotin!). How do I know if the medicine is working at all? I am new to the hypothyroidism thing, so I don't know if the dosage is too low or if I need a new medicine or something...I won't be able to get blood work done for about 3 weeks. Is that the only way to tell?

[rach7612]

Also, don't mean to snoop, but I see you're taking lithium.. has your doctor pulled you off this now that there is thyroid problems? Not knowing your situation and what all you've tried so far, it seems like you will continue to struggle with normal thyroid and weight as long as you take lithium.

[rach7612]

Before medication, my hair was very fine and at times damaged easily, but no unusual shedding. About a month after starting Synthroid, I was shedding lots and lots of hair. This went on for maybe 2 months, then stopped. According to the package, rarely, hair loss may occur when first starting Synthroid but it's temporary. It doesn't mention that this is caused by either underreplacement or overreplacement, just beginning hormone therapy. Neither of my doctors were familiar with this, but the package was correct that it was temporary. Last week when I started cytomel after a few days I was having similar shedding. This stopped very quickly. I assume it's sudden medication changes, but my coworker pointed out both times have also been right around major work deadlines for us so who knows :)

[flyingfool]

Is hair loss a side effect of the T4 synthroid medicine?

I know hair loss is a fairly symptom of being Hypo.  

So my question would be, was it just a coincidence that when you started the Thyroid med that the hair loss symptom hit you?  It takes 6 weeks to start to stabilize the T4 levels so having the hair loss diminish after "the first couple of months" would be timed pretty well to when the hormone was actually beginning to take effect.

Not saying it is not a side effect. Just curious about the timing of it all.

[rach7612]

Hey, FYI, hair loss when first starting synthroid is a known side effect. It happened to me, and did stop after the first couple months. :)

[gimel]

Well, the most important indicator is symptoms.  You mentioned two that are frequently associated with being hypo.  So that  brings up a question as to whether you are taking enough thyroid meds to relieve symptoms.  What med are you taking and what is the daily dosage?  Also, please post your thyroid related test results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report so we can assess the adequacy of your testing and treatment.  

A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4, as necessary to relieve symptoms.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.  You can get some good insight into effective clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he consults with from a distance.  The letter is then sent to the PCP of the patient to help guide treatment.  

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf

So, if you will please give us the answers to these questions, and discuss further, we will get you really prepared for your blood work in 3 weeks..