Another Thyroid Thread.... (Redux)

[indysteel]

You should see some improvement in your hair as your numbers improve. When do you get your labs done again? It might take one or medication adjustments before you get your numbers in a good place.

[redrhodie]

More labs in a month. I know, 2 weeks isn't enough time for the drug to even work yet. I need to be patient.

[indysteel]

I understand your frustration and impatience. Believe me. Just hang in there. Hopefully, you'll continue to see improvements.

[Catrin]

+100 on what Indy said. It IS frustrating waiting for improvements to come, especially when something like hair loss is going on. Hopefully you will see more improvements soon!

[snapdragen]

Y'all are jinxes. I've been on thyroid meds since I was 20, with no issues. The last few weeks I've been having these weird semi-panicky feelings. Did a vague web search, it sounds like I may be getting too much synthroid. I get my blood work done in a few weeks, so we'll see.

Now stoppit!!

(I've recently lost about 10 pounds, so maybe the weight loss is affecting my levels.)

[indysteel]

Was that weight loss intentional, Snap? Or did the pounds come off easier than you expected? Certainly, too much thyroid hormone can induce weightloss. I'm glad you're getting your levels checked.

[redrhodie]

You know what? My eyelashes seem fuller. Looking back, that was the first thing that I noticed getting skimpy. Maybe the first to go is the first to grow back. I'll take it as a sign things are improving.

[snapdragen]

Was that weight loss intentional, Snap? Or did the pounds come off easier than you expected? Certainly, too much thyroid hormone can induce weightloss. I'm glad you're getting your levels checked.

It's intentional, I'm on Weight Watchers. My doctor checks my levels about every 6 months, they've been steady for years. It will be interesting to see where they're at.

[indysteel]

Good job on the weight loss. The new WW must really work (if you work it). Everyone I know has done really well on it.

[snapdragen]

Good job on the weight loss. The new WW must really work (if you work it). Everyone I know has done really well on it.

Yeah, once I actually started paying attention to it, a miracle happened, I started losing weight.

[maillotpois]

Good for you, Snap!

[wackyjacky1]

I've been on thyroid meds for two years now (Levothyroxine) since my doctor first noticed my levels were low. I had all the symptoms -- extreme fatigue, unable to lose weight, etc. Two years later...still the same. No change whatsoever, even tho my doc says my levels are fine. It's the fatigue that I can't deal with. I make it through the day at work (which is a very physically active job, btw) and once I get home, that's it -- I'm done for the day. I can barely muster the energy to take a shower. It's awful!

I've complained about this fatigue to doctors for literally 25 years. I would tell them, "It can't be normal to be this tired!" In response, I always got, "You need to exercise more," "You need to lose weight," etc., etc. I have always been pretty physically active, and believe me, if I wasn't so darn tired all the time, I'd be even more active.

I recently made an appointment with an endocrinologist, but they can't see me 'til late October. I did this because I have heard that even though your numbers may read in the "normal" range, what is "normal" for one person may be hypo (or hyper) for another. It seems to be very individualized. My regular doc has kind of thrown up her hands in resignation, so I'm going to get it checked out by a specialist.

Has this happened to any of you? Are your levels so-called normal, but there's been no relief from the symptoms?

[indysteel]

What levels is he testing, wackyjacky? If it's only TSH or T4, then you may have an incomplete picture. T4 has to be converted to T3 to be usable, and some people have a problem with conversion. In the very least, I would talk to your docs about taking a combination, T3 and T4 drug. Of course, hypothyroidism is just one cause of fatigue. Has your doc explored other causes? Finally, I'd note that there is no one right level for everyone. It could be that you need to be closer to the low end of normal with respect to TSH (remember that the lower the TSH value, the less hypo someone is).

[wackyjacky1]

Hmmm, I have no idea what has been tested and what the numbers are. All she says is that my thyroid level is normal. Never thought to ask for specifics. D'oh!

She started me off at 25 mcg Levothyroxine, and after several months when I told her that I felt exactly the same, she doubled it to 50 mcg. Made no difference. To her credit, this is the first doctor that has paid any attention to my complaint of extreme fatigue. I think she just doesn't know what else to do. She tested my Vitamin D level; it was fine. She gave me a B12 shot; it made no difference. I'm not anemic. Other than perhaps chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia, I don't know what else could be going on. I recently heard about something called adrenal fatigue; I have some of those symptoms, but who knows.

[indysteel]

Ask to see your labs so you at least know what has been tested. If she's only tested for TSH, ask her if she could be willing to order a the appropriate tests for Free T3, Free T4 and for antibodies (there are several panels that would need to be run). Of course, she may not know how to intepret your results, so I'm not sure where that will get you. If nothing else, discuss these tests with your endo.

Here is a link that might help you better understand why it's important to test more than just TSH and why, even when TSH is normal, there may be something else going on, e.g., an automimmune disease.

I'll admit that I've had my own frustration when it comes to getting appropriate testing from my endo. Just because they're an endo doesn't mean that they get thyroid disease any better than a GP. So, if you get resistance or he/she isn't willing to explain things to you, get a second opinion. That's sort of where I've been for a while myself.