tests are finally in the norm.

[Applecore]

Hi -  Got the results of my blood tests today.  They are tsh 3.5  (0.40-4.50) and free t4 0.90 (0.8-1.8)
I read from all of you that around 1 is better.  I know I am feeling better but I still am having symptoms that I don't like - memory problems, fatigue, weakness in arms and legs, eyes are better at times, tongue still swollen feeling and nodules are painful.   I am going in about an hour to see a nutritionist to address the stomach problems, celiac (so they say, I don't have symptoms just have test results)  I do have extreme stomach pain at times.

Where do I go from here.  Will the symptoms get better?   Will my tsh continue to go down.  What experiences have any of you had?    Thanks   linda

[Applecore]

Because of the 50 mcg being too much and the 25 too little, I break a 75 in half and that seems to be working well.  I know what you mean when you say it is encouraging to know that we will feel better than we feel right now.  Thanks for everybodies answers.   lol Linda

[Adami]

I'm in a similar situation.  I just had my first test after my first 6 weeks at 25mcg.  Brought my TSH down from 7.39 to 3.69.  My doctor wanted to leave me at 25mcg however during the last 2 weeks I haven't felt as good as the first 4 weeks, some fatigue and memory problems have returned although not as bad as it used to be.  Upon my request he agreed to up my dosage to 50mcg and give it a try, getting a new blood test in 6 weeks.  If I get any side effects I'm going to back off.  Since I was also diagnosed with Hashimoto's I figure that 3.69 is going to rise so better to get it down lower right now.  Sunny, it's good to hear some confirmation that lower levels can make a difference.  Applecore it's interesting to hear you say you couldn't handle above 37.5mcg, I asked my doctor about moving my dosage up gradually but he dismissed the idea as being necessary, so I hope I can handle the 50 level, I start tomorrow.

I'm just happy my previous doctor happened to run a TSH test due to high colesterol, I could have gone many more years just attributing all the symptoms to getting older.

[Applecore]

You don't know how I appreciate your encouragement.   That just makes me feel better knowing that I am not finished.  I am on 37.5 mcg of levothyroxin.  I can't tolerate any more than that and 25 mcg isn't enough so it is a waiting game.  I am just encouraged that the way I feel is ok because it will get better.  After Christmas my endo is going to try 37.5 one day and 50 the next depending on my blood tests at that time.  Maybe it will go down by itself on the present dosage.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.   lol linda

[Sunny602]

I know that I didn't start to feel better until my TSH hit around 2. I too felt very fatigued, weak..like a big blob. Eventually after my dose was tweaked unitl my current dose 150mcg of Synthroid was reached, things did get better. I had more energy and my weight started to go down. My skin changed and so did my hair. This all took time, I just wanted it fixed immediately but it isn't the case with hypothyroidism. Over and over how I wished that the symptoms would just go away, so that I could feel like a normal 25 year old who could have the energy to run after my then two very young kids. With continued treatment, you too should start to feel better and your TSH should drop as your dosages are upped. I will keep you in my thoughts...Sunny :)