Newly diagnosed

I am on interferon therapy for hep c.  My doc called me today and told me that I have developed hypothyroid disease because of the interferon. It may or may not clear up after the interferon tx is over. He prescribed levothyroxine .025 mg. My T4 is 0.5 and my TSH is 103 whatever that means. Can anyone tell me what this means for the rest of my life. Is this manageable? Will I gain weight? What are the other health implications? I'm 31, will this shorten my life?

Just a little freaked out

[utahmomma]

It's hard to tell if this is a temporary condition or something that will go on a lifetime.  Hypothyroidism is manageable - just taking a pill every morning.   You may, or may not, gain weight.

I don't know if your doctor told you or not but take your levothyroxine in the morning at least 4 hours separated from your medications (especially calcium) and vitamins.

here's some info on hypothyroidism.  http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html

Managing your hypothyroidism will let you live a perfectly normal life and, once controlled, shouldn't cause any permanent damage.  I hope that you can naturally control your thyroid after you finish interferon but if you need to stay on the levo there are lots of us here to help you through it.

Get better - Hep C is tough enough but having such a high TSH must make you exhausted.