Newbie Hypo Questions

[KatKeys]

Hi everyone.... another newbie here.   I'm a post-menopausal female and a thyroid problem was uncovered several months ago by one of those LifeScreening tests as an "incidental finding."  Long story short, there are some nodules and an overall enlargement on one side of the thyroid.   Had various tests, ultrasound, some sort of radioactive thing, etc.  The TSH was 33 while the T3 and T4 were normal.   Went to an endo who put me on .75 Synthroid.   Had another blood test after 6 weeks and TSH was down to 1.29.    He did a followup ultrasound and wants to repeat it in 6 months.

Now, I had NO symptoms that I was aware of although the endo was surprised I wasn't at least tired.  I had noticed my hair was really thinning out and I was having an unusual amount of joint pain but I thought that was part of aging.  Also I had quit smoking 6 months ago and have put on weight that I seem unable to get rid of in spite of a rigorous exercise program and watching my diet.

My questions!  1.  Hair loss.  I'd be interested in hearing others' experiences.  Does it tend to come back after being on an appropriate dose of synthroid?  If so, roughly how long might it take?  2.  Weight gain/loss - I understand synthroid is not a weight loss drug but there have been signs that my metabolism is speeding up although I have not lost a pound.  Am I going to have to do even more to lose weight?

The amusing part of all this has been that everyone keeps telling me that I'm going to feel soooooo much better.  I never felt bad to start with!  Although I have noticed the joint pain is dimishing which is nice.  Now if I could get some hair back and drop a few pounds?????

[GravesLady]

The extent of my hair problems is growing faster than normal (hyper).
What I read is that hair will come back but it takes time.

Weight has many factors; menopause, age, genetics, life style, eating habits, etc.

[bluphoenixangel]

I have a similar issue except my swollen thyroid and nodules are present while T3, T4, and TSH are normal. I have been on 75 mcg levothyroxine for over a year now. Weight fluctuates and so does hair loss, mine may be a combo of menopause/hypothyroidism though. The good news is that it has been found and treated early. I can understand about the weight gain after quitting smoking, i quit 3 years ago and gained weight before being diagnosed with hypothyroidism.  It does take a bit more effort to lose weight, but so long as you keep your levels within normal range and eat healthy it should all work out fine, even a couple of pounds is progress just don't give up.

[KatKeys]

Thank you for your answers.  I've read alot about hair loss being a symptom of hypo but no one seems to mention whether the hair comes back when the TSH is back to a normal range.  I've only been on the synthroid about 7 weeks so I'll try to be patient.   Actually, from what I've read about it often taking months to get the dose right, I was thrilled that my endo apparently hit the correct dose the first time out!

Weight is weight I suppose, there's nothing easy about losing it.   I guess I was just hoping for a miracle - LOL!