Aa
hypothyrodism
i was recently diagnosed with hypothyrodism and was placed on levothyroxine 50 mcg per day. i really can't tell a difference in myself. i continue to feel as if i am in a cloud i still have lots of pain to joints and muscles, weakness fatigue,shortness of breathe. i have been on this amt of levothyroxine for 5 weeks the last test showed my tsh 0.39 they did not test my ft4 why im not sure since this was what was low in the first place. i questioning if i truly need this medicine after all or what i truly need to do. i need someones professional help here. please help.
Sounds like you need an endo who tests and treats the frees, not the TSH. TSH is as pituitary hormone and should NOT be used to treat thyroid levels. Mine is a 0.04. I have Hashimoto's. My doc treats my symptoms and my frees, keeping my frees in the top 1/3 of the range. I'm 37. My mom, who is 75, needs her frees slightly lower than mine due to her age and a heart condition. Your doc should look at FT4/FT3 levels and symptoms and treat those.
Here's where I found my wonderful endo:
http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/
Call the nurse ahead of time and make sure the doc treats symptoms and frees.
Next, have the doc check these things:
1. TGab and TPOab for Hashimoto's auto-immune disease
2. D, B12 and ferretin levels
3. Adrenals (24 hour saliva test works best from what I've heard)
Here's what you can do now:
1. Take vitamin D pills. Many people with Hashimoto's are low. Over 90 percent of low thyroid in developed countries are due to Hashimoto's. I started at 1,000 IU daily. You can work up to 4,000 IU daily.
2. Magnesium (200-250 strength) three times a day helps with hypo joint pain/constipation
3. Selenium (200 strength) once a day helps with the swelling that might be causing you shortness of breath. That is, if you have Hashi and a swelling goiter. Motrin helps as well. *** All meds and vitamins must be four hours after the thyroid pills. Thyroid pill must be taken on empty stomach in morning with a full glass of water. Nothing to eat or drink, except for water, for an hour.
4. New research shows that diet can affect the Hashi patient. I have given up gluten and caffeine and the swelling, chest pain, neck pressure and fatigue that accompany the antibody attack has gone down considerably. Some foods that may worsen the Hashi condition: green tea, caffeine, gluten, corn, soy, dairy
Do not stop your meds. You still sound hypo, and from the sound of it, you need more, not less. Get to a new doctor who will treat you, not your TSH.
Best of luck,
:) Tamra
Here's where I found my wonderful endo:
http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/
Call the nurse ahead of time and make sure the doc treats symptoms and frees.
Next, have the doc check these things:
1. TGab and TPOab for Hashimoto's auto-immune disease
2. D, B12 and ferretin levels
3. Adrenals (24 hour saliva test works best from what I've heard)
Here's what you can do now:
1. Take vitamin D pills. Many people with Hashimoto's are low. Over 90 percent of low thyroid in developed countries are due to Hashimoto's. I started at 1,000 IU daily. You can work up to 4,000 IU daily.
2. Magnesium (200-250 strength) three times a day helps with hypo joint pain/constipation
3. Selenium (200 strength) once a day helps with the swelling that might be causing you shortness of breath. That is, if you have Hashi and a swelling goiter. Motrin helps as well. *** All meds and vitamins must be four hours after the thyroid pills. Thyroid pill must be taken on empty stomach in morning with a full glass of water. Nothing to eat or drink, except for water, for an hour.
4. New research shows that diet can affect the Hashi patient. I have given up gluten and caffeine and the swelling, chest pain, neck pressure and fatigue that accompany the antibody attack has gone down considerably. Some foods that may worsen the Hashi condition: green tea, caffeine, gluten, corn, soy, dairy
Do not stop your meds. You still sound hypo, and from the sound of it, you need more, not less. Get to a new doctor who will treat you, not your TSH.
Best of luck,
:) Tamra
We are not professionals, just informed patients.
T4 only meds (levothyroxine, synthroid ect) do not work in relieving symptoms for some people. At 5 weeks you should notice something I would think. Its a waiting game though, give it at least three months at the correct level.
Many are under treated or on the wrong med for years before something else is tried. I was one of them. Shame on my past doctor for thinking he new how to treat thyroid but did not.
Still you need FreeT3 and Free T4 measured - those are hormones all cells need. TSH is just a messenger hormone from pituitary to the thyriod gland.
Many feel some form of T3 med is a lifesaver, in some cases it really is.
T4 only meds (levothyroxine, synthroid ect) do not work in relieving symptoms for some people. At 5 weeks you should notice something I would think. Its a waiting game though, give it at least three months at the correct level.
Many are under treated or on the wrong med for years before something else is tried. I was one of them. Shame on my past doctor for thinking he new how to treat thyroid but did not.
Still you need FreeT3 and Free T4 measured - those are hormones all cells need. TSH is just a messenger hormone from pituitary to the thyriod gland.
Many feel some form of T3 med is a lifesaver, in some cases it really is.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
