re-adjusting to Levothyroxine

[Carla75]

I am re-adjusting to levothyroxine after being told to quit it by my Endo.  I have been back on it for a little over 3 weeks and am having some of the same symptoms that I had when I initially started it over a year ago.  They symptoms went away and I'm trying to be patient and remind myself of that.  I am having awful headaches, neck aches, dizziness and terrible heartburn which isn't relieved by zantac.  It's too soon for a lab draw, isn't it?  This is so frustrating.  Trying to stay positive because I have an appointment with a great Endo (finally) in a little over a month.  I should mention I was only on a small amount of Levothyroxin, 25 mcg's a day.  Wow, this thyroid stuff is frustrating!  Anybody experienced any of this?  It's been almost a year, I've had many adjustments of the meds, been treated by TSH only and looking forward to visiting a doctor who uses T3 Free and T4 Free and treats by symptoms!  I think I can, I think I can :)

[Carla75]

Thanks for the advice, Goolarra.  I need to keep the lab appt because I'm having other labs drawn that day as well, which is required by my employer to get a lower health insurance premium, or I would cancel.  It'll only take a 1/2 hour at the most and it's on my day off.  I have plenty of blood to give...LOL!  It's really not that far of a drive for the Endo, just not in my immediate area.  It's about 45 min and I shouldn't complain because that's a lot closer then some people have to go.  Thanks!

[goolarra]

You might save yourself some time and some driving if you contact your new endos office prior to going in, explain what labs you have had (and haven't) and ask them for a lab order prior to your appointment.  With labs in hand, your new doctor should be able to make adjustments at your first appointment.  

I mailed a questionnaire to prospective endos before choosing mine.  I faxed them to all the endos in the area (small market).  My endo was the only one who even took the time to fill out the questionnaire.  So, I think you're onto something there.  (I love my endo, BTW.)

I did it behind my PCP's back as well.  My insurance company doesn't require referrals, so I did it on my own.  My PCP made several mistakes in my treatment, so I figure she was obviously out of her league.  

Good luck with the new endo...you can probably cancel your labs with the PCP!  

[Carla75]

lab work with my PCP on 11/22 (where they will only be testing TSH...go figure) and appointment that I made with an Endo on 11/8.  I emailed the Endo after questioning some people I knew in the medical field for recommendations.  He was on vacation and emailed me back less then 4 hours later.  I was impressed with that fact alone, but he also answered some questions that I had about dessicated hormones and told me to call his office and ask for a specific person and he would see me ASAP.  In a way,I am doing this all behind my PCP's back because I don't have a referral, but my insurance doesn't require one.  I figure this is my body and if I cannot get the answer's i need or get my PCP to take my complaints seriously then that's too bad for him.  I am looking at changing my PCP as well again.  Can't wait for the Endo appt.  It's a little bit of a drive, but will be so worth it.  Hope at last:)

[goolarra]

TSH of 10 before putting people on meds...bet they have some very unhappy patients.

Are you due for follow-up soon?

[Carla75]

No Hashi's....she ran the test to check.  I demanded a referral to an Endo because my PCP was testing TSH only and wasn't taking my symptoms seriously.  Went to the Endo they picked for me and she said they rarely put anyone on meds if their TSH is lower then 10...mine was 4.8, when diagnosed.  Started feeling bad after being off of the meds for 5 days.  I've done my research and am going to an Endo that comes highly recommended.  He's a bit of a drive from me, but so worth it if he's as good as he says.  It's been almost a year, as I've said and I'm just working through the frustration.  Everytime I get really down and frustrated, I come to this forum and post or read posts and it's such a great outlet/place to find answers.

[goolarra]

It's a little too soon, but not a lot.  It takes 4-6 weeks for the dose to reach its potential in your blood, but the vast majority has settled after 4 weeks.  It's not unusual for symptoms to worsen a bit or new ones to appear once on meds (as you said, they went away before for you).  You're body has to rebalance once thyroid hormones are re-introduced.  Do you have Hashi's?  Why did your endo take you off meds?