scared...unsure...what can i expect???

[newarmywifey07]

my endocrinologist was in a hurry today and didnt provide me with any information except that she was EXTREMELY concerned about my TSH being 303. I know that's high since she told me that she would like to see it somewhere in the range of 2.4 to 4. my hair is falling out in CLUMPS and is in the WORST shape ever, and i'm tired, cranky irritable, everything irritates me. she said that i should not even THINK about taking a sip of alcohol or taking a sleeping pill cause it could put me in a coma or something. i'm lost kinda...she then left the room, gave me an RX and that was it. i was just kinda standing there not sure if i was in some kind of thyroid crisis...can anyone shed some light?


This discussion is related to Thyroid TSH level 148.

[AR-10]

Yes, you're in a dangerous position for a few weeks. Until your TSH falls below 150 you could possibly slip into a coma or have have a bout of psychosis.

Don't drive, don't do heavy exercise, rest as much as you can. Your Endo should have been a little more informative about how you should take care of yourself.

Eventually you will need to find a new Endo. The one you are seeing is unthinking, and wrong about where your TSH should be, also. It should be closer to 1.0 or 1.5

[AR-10]

I assume she gave you a scrip for a thyroid medication, and didn't tell you how to take it.

Take it first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, with a glass of water. you can drink water or coffee, but no food or other drugs for an hour afterward.

Some drugs, and any vitamins, should wait until four hours after you have taken the Levothyroxine, or Synthroid, or whatever the thyroid med is.

Stay away from caffein for a few weeks, too.

[stella5349]

wow 300's in TSH. This is one of the highest levels I have read since I started here. You are not well at all.  What is wrong with your endo - ? This is all that was said? I hope you have a new appointment within 3 to four weeks to get your levels checked again. If not - demand one!!  and bug that office to help you get that down.

Follow AR and take the meds like he said. Do not mix them with any other meds until 2 to 4 hrs and take it first thing in the morning. I would think a T3 should have been Rx's to you also with this level- at least for a few weeks.

[Thypatient]

Was that your first appt with an endo?  Is there going to be a follow-up appt. soon?  From my experience, and from what I’ve learned, it sounds inappropriate for her act so simply.

For starters, a dr giving a script and not explaining how to take it shouldn’t happen, no matter what the medical issue is.

I’d call back the endo and ask her if she could explain things a little further - especially the medication (i.e., take first thing in the morning with a full glass of water and don’t eat or drink anything for 1 to 2 hrs afterward).  If she doesn’t do that to your satisfaction, find a new one.

Going on-line should be a place to get adjunct feedback, not first-line advice.  Considering the symptoms you’re having, you deserve better treatment.  Best wishes.

[newarmywifey07]

wow. i'm glad i posted! i had NO IDEA there was a certain way to take the synthroid. it wasnt my first appointment, but .... i dont know ... she told me she was sorry it took so long for her to get back to me (about an HOUR) and then told me it was the end of the day and she was SO ready to get home. she was in the room for MAYBE 5 minutes (i took a friend with me) gave me some samples of sythroid .175 total dosage and take it everyday. she'll see me back in two months. and not to drink or take a sleeping pill cause it would be very dangerous

[princesssookie69]

I haven't been diagnosed with a thyroid issue yet (results pending this week), but what a scarey experience that must of been. If I were you I would call the doctors exchange and demand to talk to her. A doctor can't just throw a bomb on you like that and then walk out. You must of had a million questions after your head stopped spinning. Please tell me that you will call your primary on Monday and explain what happened and get a referral to another endo. There is simply no excuse for that type of behavior. Hang tough. There are alot of great and insightful people on this forum.

[Call_me_MN]

Wow. Your endo must really have been in a rush if that was all she said to you. But no matter how backed up she was, she should have taken more time with you to explain what a TSH that high meant and why she was prescribing the medication. As for how to take it, everyone here is saying it must be taken first thing in the morning. That's not so. You *can* take it at night, if you prefer, and a recent study suggests that it may actually work better that way. (It was a small study, so I'm sure it will be repeated on a wider scale soon.) I called my endo yesterday to ask him if he had any thoughts on the matter, and he said it was fine to take it at night it I wanted to. The same cautions do apply, however: at least an hour before eating and probably at least two hours after (long enough to get an empty stomach, anyhow), and don't mix with other medications, particularly ones containing calcium, iron, or soy.

For those of you who want to debate taking it in the evening/just before bed, I used to take it that way and had *no* problems sleeping afterwards. Took it that way last night and had no more problem sleeping than I've been having on no medication at all. (I'm just restarting meds after a TT and RAI.) Taking it at night works better for me, since I like to sleep as late as possible in the morning and that often meant going without a breakfast so I could take my pill. And I've developed a bad habit of snacking very late at night, and this will mean I can't do that as easily!

[nissah46]

I was told to be consistent when taking synthroid. If you decide to take it on an empty stomach then always do that. If you decide to take it with food then always do that. And take it at the same time every day, whatever you decide.

[stella5349]

It is based on the individual and the absorption of the T4 converting into the T3. In order to have the T3 be converted you need to take the Synthroid on an empty stomach (4 hrs) before a meal.

I read a few studies on taking the med at night too. It depends on the individual. Most patients in this study had trouble sleeping and acid reflux symtpoms.Synthroid T4 gives the body the chance to convert - sleeping is your rest time so the body naturally slows down when it is time to rest. I believe from the reading - SYnthroid has a slower absorption rate at night than taking it first thing in the morning. Most individuals are more prone to convert T3 into energy during the day, and the thyroid will pick up the T3 and use it better while you are active.  

I am a very early riser - so I need my throid meds during the day. I get very ill if I take it and lie down. I am one of those who develops very bad acid if I do that.

Hopefully you will find the right time you get the best results. I would however read alot on the drug itself - so you are aware of all the side effects and ways you need to protect yourself and get the best way to treat this condition.

[Thypatient]

I don’t know about anyone else’s response but I was only citing an example (i.e.) of something the endo should have taken the time to talk about.  Another example could have been about the option to take the med at night.

If that way works best for you, by all means do it.  My endo gave me that option too.  But it would mean I’d have to eat dinner by a certain time to have my stomach emptied enough to take the med.  I sometimes arrive home late from work so eating and waiting to take the med would have me going to bed later.  I have to get up and leave for work really early so that would mean losing sleep in order to take the med.  That’s the only reason I opted for mornings.  

Also, to address being consistent: Waking in the morning is about the only consistent thing I do.

[Nikki_81]

Hey My Thyroid levels came back today and it was 100 from 19 what should i do ?

[laura1967]

Do they still give thyroid injections??? She should ask for a couple of injections to get her started and into a safe level....I bet they would if she went to a hospital or urgent care. May be a thought...something to look into. I know they have some type of intervenous medication for thyroid or how else would they treat the patients that are already slipping into a coma. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.