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40% hypoactive
During a routine check-up in December, my Dr. informed me that my lab results indicated that my thyroid was 40% hypoactive. He explained the symptoms of hypothyroidism to me, and at the time I wasn't experiencing any of them, or didn't think I was He said he would continue to monitor me but at this point he didn't think I needed to start medication.
I have noticed that I have a very hard time losing the few extra pounds I'd like to. While I can't say I feel fatigued in the sense that I need to take a nap, I do feel a general sort of "slowness"- both physical and mental. I am more forgetful, and it seems to take longer to get through normal routines. I am also in perimenopause, and as my doctor explained, some of the symptoms overlap.
My question is, at what % of underactivity is treatment usually begun? I don't want to go on meds until it is necessary, but if it would help my symptoms (which aren't THAT bad), I wouldn't mind. I know he gave me a specific TSH level that the test showed, but I forget now- I only remember "40% hypocative" whch he classified as "mild."
I have noticed that I have a very hard time losing the few extra pounds I'd like to. While I can't say I feel fatigued in the sense that I need to take a nap, I do feel a general sort of "slowness"- both physical and mental. I am more forgetful, and it seems to take longer to get through normal routines. I am also in perimenopause, and as my doctor explained, some of the symptoms overlap.
My question is, at what % of underactivity is treatment usually begun? I don't want to go on meds until it is necessary, but if it would help my symptoms (which aren't THAT bad), I wouldn't mind. I know he gave me a specific TSH level that the test showed, but I forget now- I only remember "40% hypocative" whch he classified as "mild."
I was so focused on the TSH range, I didn't pay too much attention to the above that you reference.
But you are right, it is a very important part of treatment, especially the doctor keeping up on the advances in treatment!
Thanks for bringing it to light!
But you are right, it is a very important part of treatment, especially the doctor keeping up on the advances in treatment!
Thanks for bringing it to light!
Thanks booklet is great! My favorite part:
Partnership between patient and doctor
The more you and your doctor work as a team, the better you'll do.
Your jobs
Because you'll probably have hypothyroidism for the rest of your life, you have to be your own main caretaker. You can't depend on your doctor to do all the work for you. You have to fill your prescriptions and take your pills every day. You have to make and keep your appointments for blood tests and doctor visits. When you go for visits, you have to tell your doctor how youre feeling and be honest in saying how often you miss your pills. Its smart ahead of time to write a list of the things that you want to tell and ask the doctor.
Your doctor’s jobs
Your doctor should explain your disease and its treatment, answer your questions, and listen to your concerns. The doctor should take your symptoms into account when adjusting your thyroxine dose. The doctor should give you your blood test results. The doctor should keep up to date about advances in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease.
Partnership between patient and doctor
The more you and your doctor work as a team, the better you'll do.
Your jobs
Because you'll probably have hypothyroidism for the rest of your life, you have to be your own main caretaker. You can't depend on your doctor to do all the work for you. You have to fill your prescriptions and take your pills every day. You have to make and keep your appointments for blood tests and doctor visits. When you go for visits, you have to tell your doctor how youre feeling and be honest in saying how often you miss your pills. Its smart ahead of time to write a list of the things that you want to tell and ask the doctor.
Your doctor’s jobs
Your doctor should explain your disease and its treatment, answer your questions, and listen to your concerns. The doctor should take your symptoms into account when adjusting your thyroxine dose. The doctor should give you your blood test results. The doctor should keep up to date about advances in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease.
Yes, that is the generic.
I only ask because some people who have switched to a brand name have had less side effects.
Also the brand names are more consistant in the amount of active ingredient. For each refill of generic, always make sure it came from the same manufacturer so it will be a consistant dose.
I only ask because some people who have switched to a brand name have had less side effects.
Also the brand names are more consistant in the amount of active ingredient. For each refill of generic, always make sure it came from the same manufacturer so it will be a consistant dose.
Hi,
I am glad the meds seem to be helping some.
Are you taking them in the morning?
I had insomnia and anxiety before I started on meds and it went away with treatment. At 5.5 you are still hypo and I would go ahead and give the increase a good try.
Also, are you on a brand name or generic?
I am glad the meds seem to be helping some.
Are you taking them in the morning?
I had insomnia and anxiety before I started on meds and it went away with treatment. At 5.5 you are still hypo and I would go ahead and give the increase a good try.
Also, are you on a brand name or generic?
Hi, all I started meds on April 12 (.025 mg og thryoxine). I started feeling more energetic and less mentally fuzzy. However, I did feel a mild, occasional jitteryness, and have had some problems with insomnia- either trouble falling asleep or waking up early. Most of the time I don't feel tired during the day, but sometimes I feel a little ragged from the decreased sleep.
I went for my first blood test last week, and I just spoke to the doctor. He did say it was Hashimoto's, and he said although the TSH came down to 5.5, I'm still hypo and should take one pill one day, and two the next. I told him about the symptoms and he said the insomnia shouldn't be from the meds because I'm still hypo. I told him I'll up it, but if If the insomnia gets worse or persists, I'll give him a call.
Any suggestions?
I went for my first blood test last week, and I just spoke to the doctor. He did say it was Hashimoto's, and he said although the TSH came down to 5.5, I'm still hypo and should take one pill one day, and two the next. I told him about the symptoms and he said the insomnia shouldn't be from the meds because I'm still hypo. I told him I'll up it, but if If the insomnia gets worse or persists, I'll give him a call.
Any suggestions?
That is an excellent booklet you posted kitty9309, I downloaded it to my desktop and will read the whole thing! Thank you. I've never run across that in all my searches on hypothyroidism.
Margie24, up until 2003 the normal range for TSH was .4 - 6.0, but in 2003 the Assoc. of Clinical Endocrinologists changed that number for normal TSH from .3 - 3.0 . I agree, you should be on medication. Better to start now and get it in control then waiting and having severe symptoms down the road. If your gp can treat you and your comfortable with that then thats great but otherwise ask for a referral to an endo. Also, have they tested you for antibodies? This would determine if you have autoimmune thyroid disease or not (hashimotos).
Cindi
Margie24, up until 2003 the normal range for TSH was .4 - 6.0, but in 2003 the Assoc. of Clinical Endocrinologists changed that number for normal TSH from .3 - 3.0 . I agree, you should be on medication. Better to start now and get it in control then waiting and having severe symptoms down the road. If your gp can treat you and your comfortable with that then thats great but otherwise ask for a referral to an endo. Also, have they tested you for antibodies? This would determine if you have autoimmune thyroid disease or not (hashimotos).
Cindi
With a TSH of 7, you DO need meds now, especially with symptoms. I'm glad he is willing to give them to you.
Remember, the TSH needs to come down around 1 to feel your best. He may say into the normal range is good enough. There is plenty of literature out there stating this.
http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Hypothyroidism%20_web_booklet.pdf
Have you seen an endo?
Remember, the TSH needs to come down around 1 to feel your best. He may say into the normal range is good enough. There is plenty of literature out there stating this.
http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Hypothyroidism%20_web_booklet.pdf
Have you seen an endo?
TSH was 7, 3T4 was .9.
Doc said tonight it's "about 20%" hypo, and usually at this point meds aren't needed, but if I feel I need them he has no problem writing the prescription and monitoring me.
Doc said tonight it's "about 20%" hypo, and usually at this point meds aren't needed, but if I feel I need them he has no problem writing the prescription and monitoring me.
Get copies of the lab work and post them here.
As AR said, you need the actual lab values and reference ranges to determine if you are hypo and to what extent.
I have never heard of % hypoactivity, either. It must be hos terminology.
Sounds like you have some hypo symptoms. You never know how well you will actually feel until you begin meds.
As AR said, you need the actual lab values and reference ranges to determine if you are hypo and to what extent.
I have never heard of % hypoactivity, either. It must be hos terminology.
Sounds like you have some hypo symptoms. You never know how well you will actually feel until you begin meds.
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