Diagnosed with Hypothyroid

[Triskeliongirl]

Happy to report that I am one of those doing very well with treatment. The fatigue is real. When my meds are off I end up on my office floor sleeping in the afternoons. Finding optimal treatment isn't always easy. They will probably start you on synthroid (T4), and slowly titrate up your dosage. It takes *time* to see results too. Even though T4 normalized my blood work, I needed a T4/T3 combo therapy to have my symptoms controlled. I think my mistake was letting my internist treat me, rather than going to an endocrinologist sooner. FYI, I do best with 150 ug of synthroid (T4) plus 5 ug of cytomel (T3). T3 is the active form of thryoid hormone that is made from T4. For some reason, that small amount of T3 that was added to my dosing makes a big diff (it was actually not really added but replaced 25 ug of T4 since it is 4X more active).

[snapdragen]

I've been on thyroid meds since I was 20 years old. When my levels are off I'm definately not myself. One friend described me as looking "gray" There was definately a lack of physical energy, and some mental sluggishness too.

[Zen]

Since I have both liver disease and hypothyroid tired = normal.
I wonder what I'd be like without the Synthroid? All day nap

[makbike]

I too suffer from hypothyroidism. I feel so blessed to have found a doctor who would listen to me, who would pay attention to my family history and who did not simply label me as a "depressed woman." I noticed a difference almost immediately once I started my medication and I continue to be amazed at what a positive difference it has made in my life.

[tricanada]

I too am hypothyroid and am on synthroid.

My case began with Graves disease (hyperthyroid) and through radio-active iodine treatment became hypothyroid and have been taking synthroid for 7 years.

I remember at first how devestated I was for having something wrong with me. Then after a bit of research found out that A LOT of women in particular have been through the same thing with very little side effects. Now through the medication, I don't even think of it as something wrong.

I hope all these posts help you in coming to terms with it. Once the synthroid kicks in, I am sure you will feel much better. Good luck.

[short cut sally]

I was diagnosed at age 37 or so with hypothyroid, by my GYN of all things. He had done some bloodwork as it hadn't been done in awhile at his office and noticed that my bad cholesterol was high, at this time I was strictly on a regimented weight loss and he said he found it hard to believe my cholesterol was high. He did a thyroid profile and levels were off. Once the thyroid was back to normal range, my cholesterol levels came back to normal levels also. He said he's diagnosed several hypothyroids by the cholesterol level..good thing, my drs office hadn't been telling me the results of my blood for the last 2 years, figured no news was good news. Needless to say, a new primary dr was in order.

[ehirsch83]

Like Shelly, it was my GYN who discovered my thyroid problem! She felt my glands thyroid and realized it was enlarged. I ended up having thyroid cancer and had a total thyroidectamy, but prior to having it removed I was yo-yoing between hyper and hypo thyroidism and I gained about 20 lbs(and this was my freshman year of college, so people kept trying to tell me it was my freshman 15 but I knew I wasn't eating that poorly!!).
I have now been on synthroid for the past 4 years, maybe a little longer. It did take my body almost a year to get evened out weight wise, and I do get tired still every once in a while.
Feel free to ask any questions, I will do my best to help with answers!