Anyone here on Synthroid?

[skinimini]

Half my thyroid was removed when I was a teenager (1970's) for benign nodules. No Synthroid then. Since that time, my thyroid has been functioning just OK--thyroid hormone levels have always been just a little low. Now I have two more fairly large nodules on the remaining lobe. They were only found because my resting HR has been wacked out lately and made a visit to the cardiologist (I have some other arrythmia type issues). Biopsy was inconclusive and my internist, general surgeon, and physician husband are recommending surgery to remove the remaining lobe. I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that it'll have to come out--it's just not a good time (is it ever for surgery?)

What has been your experience on Synthroid? I've lost a lot of weight (intentionally) in the past year and I am so terrified of messing up my metabolism. Has it been difficult to regulate? Any side effects? I've read horror stories elsewhere on the internet. Internist and surgeon downplay the regulation issues, husband (gynecologist) says it can be difficult. I guess I'm just asking for your personal experience. Thanks for sharing.

[Zen]

I'm sure you'll find a lot of us are on Synthroid.

I can't imagine what the 'horror stories' might be
I don't think it's affected me negatively at all but I have so many other things wrong with me, who knows?

With a biopsy that's inconclusive I don't think I'd be so quick to start slicing. Perhaps another doctor or another biopsy?
I can't imagine that was much fun either

[maillotpois]

I can't imagine what the 'horror stories' might be

Me either. I've been on it for over 10 years with no problems at all. Any weight fluctuations have been entirely my own fault, not the fault of the drug or my thyroid problem.

[skinimini]

I guess I overstated the "horror" stories. I've just read that lots of people have had great difficulty in regulating the thyroid replacement hormone and have had other effects--huge weight gain, arrythmia issues.

Bx was not fun, only local anesthetic. All three docs, as well as the endocrinologist told me that a thyroid biopsy doesn't always give the answer--I don't even know why they do them. At any rate, it's not an emergency, so I'll take some time (and another opinion) to try to figure out the right thing to do.

[solobiker]

I have been on it since 1989. I did not have any troubles at all until some yahoo Dr adjusted my dosage and increased a lot. I didn't notice anything for a little while but slowly I was becoming anxious, nervous and soon was not able to sleep. I would be wide awake until 3-4am and would get up a 530. I was also feeling so out of control and it was making me feel depressed. I went to a different Dr who wanted to put me on meds for depression and I told her to please look at my thyroid levels first. She did not think my symptoms had anything to do with my thyroid but tested it any way. Well my results came back revealing I was taking way too much...I think I was at .2 and she has decreased it mulitlple times and now I am at .137 I feel far better, am happy again and actually sleep.

[tctrek]

I've been on Synthroid since 1997. Unfortunately, my TSH levels won't stay stabilized, so I have to be tested every 6 weeks and get a dosage change. I have prescription bottle in everything from 200 mcg to 88 mcg! I used to think it was the root cause of my weight issues, but I don't think that anymore. I also took Armour Thyroid for a couple of months a few years ago - I was convinced I would lose weight on it. Had to take it twice a day as it has a short shelf-life. My TSH jumped all over and I didn't lose weight, so I went back to Synthroid.

But I really don't have any bad stories. I'm sure it's not the meds fault that my levels go up and down all the time.