Questions for Hypo people

[lisajo]

I am a new one to the Hypo club hell as it has been called.  No one can answer me when I ask why do my hands go numb especially  at night just laying there trying to sleep and when i wake up?

My face is getting very dry.

My legs feel very heavy.

I could sleep all the time if allowed to.

What is happening to the body to have these things go on.  I am taking a synthroid of some label
I am waiting for it to take affect and I want immediate results but it seems so slow.  When should I expect something good to happen?  Lose weight?  Get energy?  Feel normal again?

I am taking 125 mcg of the medication I can't think of the name right now but it is a synthroid of some sort.

[gimel]

Make sure you get a copy of all thyroid test results and look at the actual numbers.  Don't just accept from the doctor that it is now "normal".  If you haven't been tested for free T3 and free T4, along with TSH, then insist on that as well.  When you have all these numbers and reference ranges, then post again and you will get help from a lot of experience members.  Some of your ongoing symptoms may well be related to still not having your free T3 at an optimum level.  Free T3 is the most active and important component of the thyroid hormones, because it largely regulates metabolism.

[MarineGirl74]

I have been taking Synthroid for about 2 years now, my dosage is still not stable.  I just leared today that my levels are still off (after getting a dosage increase 3 months ago)  From what my Endo tells me, you have to allow 8-12 weeks for a new dosage to really take effect.  I also recently learned (which was not told to me by my last Endo) that multi vitamins can affect the way your Synthroid is absorbed since it is a sensitive medication (hence the taking it on an empty stomach). Have you expressed your concerns to your doctor?

I also suffer from tiredness, weight gain and numbness in the hands.  After talking to my primary care doctor, I am trying some other things (in hopes that its not the thyroid thats causing it).  Its easy to blame your Thyroid for being tired and all.  I have cut sodium significantly from my diet and found I dont get the numbness nearly as often as I used to (always happened when I would go for short walks).  

[lisajo]

I am also a hyper that was RAI'd and now hypo and taking 125 mcg of levothroid.  Yhank you for your letter.
Lisa Jo

[imedicmommy]

They are still trying to get my meds right as well...it takes a few weeks on a new dosage to see improvement. I have the really dry skin and fatigue also. If it has been 6 weeks since you started the dosage and you haven't seen any improvement, call your doctor to get blood drawn.

[Totie]

With my experience, it took a year to figure out where my dosage should be. I was hyper. I took 200mcg of Synthroid for about 13 years, now they have changed my dosage to 125mcg of Levothroid. I think that everyone is different when it comes to dosage and how long it will take for your body to show some kind of difference. I had to be tested every 6 weeks with so may dosage adjustments. Just make sure you keep your appointments when it comes to checking the hormone levels.