Thyroid q

[Haudlady]

Thank you for posting these website references!

I just got a call from my Dr's office - I had routine bloodwork done (the last time was about 6 years ago ). Everything is normal EXCEPT the thyroid. The TSH level is 7.572.

I'm having a hard time translating what that really means to me! I am only 31 - I don't want to be on medication forever! DH thinks I should have the test re-done to make sure it is right. I'm the kind of person who hates taking medicine... for me to take an ibuprofen I have to feel really awful.

Can anyone tell me what this level could mean, relatively speaking?

I asked the nurse, on the phone, what she could tell me about what it all means. The Dr. wants to put me on Levoxyl. The nurse said that she could "send me an informational flyer." Great. Now I have to wait two days to get more information?

I know, in the scope of things, this isn't that bad... but I will admit that I am more than a little freaked out by it.

[maillotpois]

Haud - don't let this freak you out at all. In the grand scheme of things a thyroid problem is about one of the easiest things ever to deal with. It will not affect your life at all. The medication is not scary - it is simply something your body should be producing but is not.

I've been on levoxyl for almost 10 years (diagnosed with Hashimoto's when I was 31). I wil be on them forever. They have NO ill effects. Life is good. There are WAY worse things to deal with (and I've had some of them). Any medical diagnosis or condition can be initially startling. But don't worry - just listen to your doctors, share your concerns with them.

You'll be fine.

[makbike]

To help remind me to take my thyroid medication every day I keep a bottle of water next to a pill box that has my daily pill in it. I pass the counter I keep both on each morning when I first get out of bed thus reminding me to stop and take my pill. This also allows ample time between the time I take my pill and I eat breakfast (about 2 hours). As has been pointed out thyroid medication should be taken at the same time each day, calcium should be avoid 2+ hours before and after the pill and it best to take it on an empty stomach. Please do not skip a dose! As has also been pointed out taking thyroid medicatioin really is not a big deal but it is a life time medication. I must say I was so happy when my Hashimoto's was diagnosed and I felt so much better once I settled into my dose (112mcg). I never want to return to where I was for I literally felt like sh*t each and every day. It is so nice to have my life back.

I do have a question - time wish when is the best time to have your blood drawn to check thyroid levels? I know with dogs we advise owners to have it drawn 6 hours post pill, is it the same for humans?

[Haudlady]

Thanks, guys... I guess it was more the initial shock of it. I wasn't expecting anything but "normal" to come back.

Makbike- I read on one of those websites that the levels DO change throughout the day. Aparently, levels are often higher in the morning. I would guess (and it really is a guess - I have a lot of reading to do) that to be consistent you should have the test at the same time each time you have it done.

Oooh... this brings another question for me, though. The prospect of needing to budget in medication costs! Oh dear. I guess I won't be getting any new jerseys this year!

[Thistle]

sorry to hear that cc

I"m glad you can improve it by being regular with the medication... maybe, i dunno, maybe the plus side of that will be more speed on the bike ... but then we'll never catch up to you on bj

{{{ cc}}}

[Triskeliongirl]

Oooh... this brings another question for me, though. The prospect of needing to budget in medication costs! Oh dear. I guess I won't be getting any new jerseys this year!

Actually, I have been on thyroid meds for years and fortunatly its one of the cheapest meds out there. All I can do is echo what others have said, of all the things that can be wrong, this is easily fixable. You are just taking a hormone that your body isn't making adequate amounts of, so you don't need to worry about harmful side effects. BUT, dosage is very critical, so don't forget and also don't double your dosage (which can also happen if you forget if you took it, and take it again). I did this once and was soooo hyper. I know its scary to realize you must take this every day forever, but it could be worse. The other 'silver lining' from your other post is maybe it forced your husband to take his health more seriously too, which has to be a good thing no matter how his situation turns out. At least it got him talking about it.

[mtbdarby]

Actually, I have been on thyroid meds for years and fortunatly its one of the cheapest meds out there. All I can do is echo what others have said, of all the things that can be wrong, this is easily fixable. You are just taking a hormone that your body isn't making adequate amounts of, so you don't need to worry about harmful side effects. BUT, dosage is very critical, so don't forget and also don't double your dosage (which can also happen if you forget if you took it, and take it again). I did this once and was soooo hyper. I know its scary to realize you must take this every day forever, but it could be worse. The other 'silver lining' from your other post is maybe it forced your husband to take his health more seriously too, which has to be a good thing no matter how his situation turns out. At least it got him talking about it.

I second the low cost. It was actually cheaper for me to buy my meds cash versus using my insurance and paying my rx deductible. Check both prices and maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised!

[maillotpois]

Ditto what Darby said. It's cheaper to pay cash and get many months worth than go through my insurance w/$10 per month copay.

[donnambr]

I do have a question - time wish when is the best time to have your blood drawn to check thyroid levels? I know with dogs we advise owners to have it drawn 6 hours post pill, is it the same for humans?

My endocrinologist likes me to have mine on a empty stomach before my daily dose. Since I take mine at 5:30 each morning, I'm there for the blood draw when the lab opens at 7:00am, and take my pill right after.

[wannaduacentury]

I second what the others said, thyroid meds are easy compared to insulin for diabetes etc. I was born w/o a thyroid so I've always been on meds 112mg generic. I have a balanced routine and don't feel any different. Jennifer

[anakiwa]

The TSH level is 7.572.

I'm having a hard time translating what that really means to me! I am only 31 - I don't want to be on medication forever! DH thinks I should have the test re-done to make sure it is right. I'm the kind of person who hates taking medicine... for me to take an ibuprofen I have to feel really awful.

Can anyone tell me what this level could mean, relatively speaking?

Different TSH assays can have greater/lesser sensitivity. (Meaning supersensitive TSH tests often come back fairly high relative to the true degree of disease.)

Was a free T4 done? (This is a measure of the actual thyroid hormone.) A TSH of 7 is only mildly elevated (assuming the units are the same as what I am familiar with). If the TSH is mildly elevated and the free T4 is normal, this would actually represent subclinical hypothyroidism. Subclinical hypothyroidism is not necessarily the same as hypothyroidism (generally implies a higher risk of developing hypothyroidism in the future, but not everyone would agree that this needs to be treated with thyroid medication- many people would just watch this over time).

I haven't seen your test results and I don't want to butt in too much, but your DH might be right. It may be worth asking to have the test repeated, or making an appointment to see the doctor to make sure you have the full information.