Hashimoto-Synthroid Medication Not Feeling so well

[chellymay]

I am a 42 Year old female with Type 1 Diabetes.  Last week diagnosed with Hashimoto Disease and Hypothyroidism.  I have a small nodule on my Thyroid.  I will have a needle biopsy next week to see if it is cancerous.

I started on 50mm of Synthroid 1 week ago.  I do not feel well on this medicine.  I am feeling very depressed like there is no joy in my life anymore.  I am very irritable and just don't even enjoy anything.  I feel very flat emotionally and so exhausted that I can hardly get through the day!  I can't believe that I can feel so awful on a medicine that is suppose to make me feel better.

I've never really felt any of the Hypo symptoms.  I will see the Endo tomorrow to discuss alternative medication.  Is there anything out there that will be better for me?  I seem to be really sensitive to this medication.

My labs are:
hTSH_II                    7.417
Free_T4                   0.59
Thyroid Peroxidase Andibodies:         766

Any feedback will be welcome:)

[chellymay]

Tamra:

I will have to take a look at your blog.  My Endo thought it was odd that I was having this sensation in my throat because it comes and goes.  Some days I don't feel it at all and other days, I feel it constantly.  This is all so strange!  

I have Type 1 Diabetes also and that is enough to deal with, and now this.  I am trying to keep positive, but am having a difficult time doing that the past couple of weeks.

I have one 1.5cm area on my isthmus.  I am already an anxious person, now to add something that is going to increase the anxiety...not good!

I really like being able to talk with someone that has gone through what I am going through.  Thank you for your help!

Michelle

[TamraW]

Yes, my isthmus (center strip joining the two thyroid lobes) was over 2X the normal size on my last ultrasound. That's what what sometimes chokes me, but it's not as bad now that I quit eating gluten. I still have issues with large vitamins.

My last endo never told me about my isthmus when she had her technician run the ultrasound. My new, and more experienced endo, actually did the ultrasound himself and explained everything about the ultrasound.

Having an enlarged isthmus is common among Hashi patients, and it will commonly cause a choking sensation. I thought it was cancer at first, too, as do many of us. It's typical for us to panic, especially when we have nodules that leak thyroid hormone. That extra hormone may cause even more anxiety, stress, heart palps, etc...

:) Tamra

[chellymay]

Tamra:

Did you have this feeling like there is something stuck in your throat.  Not that you can't swallow, or that things actually get stuck...but a feeling like there is something there?  I am so worried that there is something else going on with me other than the nodule on the thyroid.  I have the biopsy next Tuesday and I am so worried that it is going to be cancer!

Michelle

[TamraW]

Adrenal fatigue is also common in people with Hashi. Please get the 24 hour saliva test to determine your cortisol levels.

Also, I am treating my disease by eliminating gluten, soy, corn and dairy. For more on my success, read my journal.

:) Tamra

[chellymay]

Thank you very much for all of the information.  Went to Endo today.  She believes me because she could see it in my eyes that I was just not myself.  She prescribed Levoxyl at 25mcg and to cut that in half.  Will start this tomorrow...I'll just have to wait and see.

Hope to be able to think about something else for awhile:)

[jtlmom1577]

What you are experiencing sounds just like hypothyroid symptoms and not the medicine.  Give the medicine a chance to work and one week is not enough time.  In fact, it takes 6-8 wks to build up in your system and at that time, you should have your bloodwork re-done with the FT3 and Ft4 tested as well as TSH.  Even at that time, you still may not be on enough medicine and it may have to be increased again.  Most doctors increase the medicine quite slowly.  

My personal experience is that I felt worse for several weeks after starting levothyroxine but my doctor said to give it the full 8 weeks and to be patient.  (not my strong suit).  I am on my second 8 weeks and fully expect another increase in a couple of weeks.  Overall though, I feel much better.  

While you think you have had minimal symptoms, probably wont' realize how bad you felt until you feel better.  Good luck at the doctor.