Hypothyroidism

[Misty77]

I'm in a quandry here.... I went to the Docs with an infection and ended up being tested for an underactive thyroid and low iron, both tests came back positive, and I'm now on Levithyroxine 50mcg and iron tablets. I'm feeling a bit lost at the moment, because since I've started the Levithyroxine I've had memory problems, constant stiff necks, and headaches. I've tried to speak to the Doctor but she's adament that I keep taking the thyroid tablets. I realise that I've had the positive test but I was borderline and I want to know my options ie: was it a one off because of the virus, should I keep taking the tablets, are there 'alternative treatments' etc ? Any ideas ?

[Octavius]

Many symptoms of hypothyroidism can be caused by a low level of thyroxine. Basically, everything 'slows down' but not all symptoms develop in all cases. Symptoms that commonly occur include tiredness, weight gain, constipation, aches, feeling cold, dry skin, lifeless hair, fluid retention, mental slowing, and depression.

The most common cause is due to an 'autoimmune disease' called autoimmune thyroiditis. The immune system normally makes antibodies to attack bacteria, viruses, and other 'germs'. If you have an autoimmune disease, the immune system makes antibodies against certain tissues of your body. A low level of Thyroxine confirms hypothyroidism so your doctor is trying to increase the levels. Levothyroxine tablets replace the body's natural hormone, so side-effects are uncommon. This replaces the thyroxine which your thyroid gland is not making. Most people feel much better soon after starting treatment, but some foods rich in calcium or iron may interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine from the gut. I don�t know of any alternative therapies, but treatment of levothyroxine is usually for life, has the doctor mentioned this?

[skyep]

Hi Misty, I have been taking thyroxine for over 30 years now, I too have memory problems/ stiff necks and headaches, but I put this down a lot to age? Back to you, I can't really advise you. If you definately have a thyroid problem as the doctor suggests, then you can't really afford not to take what has been prescribed to you. I can give you a support group website www.thyroidsupportgroup.co.uk
I have never been totally satisfied with my medication, but as far as I know, thats all there is on offer. Sorry I can't be of more help, take care xxx

[shaneystar2]

I take Levothyroxine for under active thyroid and have had no side effects at all . I suffer with a stiff neck but that's arthritis !
You are on a very low dose so are just over borderline .Do persevere though and make sure they monitor your levels on a regular basis . Mine was monitered every three months until the levels were correct .It can fluctuate and it takes time to get the dosage correct .To much and you will become hyper ..to little and you won't feel any better .

Have a look at the thyroid support group which Skyep mentions .There is a lot of help and advice on there .
I hope you soon feel better

[johnlambert]

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (can't tolerate the cold like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss

Hypothyroidism is usually quite easy to treat (for most people)! The easiest and most effective treatment is simply taking a thyroid hormone pill (Levothyroxine) once a day, preferably in the morning. This medication is a pure synthetic form of T4 which is made in a laboratory to be an exact replacement for the T4 that the human thyroid gland normally secretes. It comes in multiple strengths, which means that an appropriate dosage can almost always be found for each patient. The dosage should be re-evaluated and possibly adjusted monthly until the proper level is established. The dose should then be re-evaluated at least annually. If you are on this medication, make sure your doctor knows it so she can check the levels at least yearly. Note: Just like we discussed above, however, this simple approach does not hold true for everybody. Occasionally the correct dosage is a bit difficult to pin-point and therefore you may need an exam and blood tests more frequently. Also, some patients just don't do well on some thyroid medications and will be quite happy on another. For these reasons you should not be shy in discussing with your doctor your blood hormone tests, symptoms, how you feel, and the type of medicine you are taking. The goal is to make you feel better, make your body last longer, slow the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis...in addition to making your blood levels normal! Sometimes that's easy, when its not, you need a doctor who is willing to spend the time with you that you deserve while you explore different dosages other types of medications (

[johnlambert]

Cont�
Some patients will notice a slight reduction in symptoms within 1 to 2 weeks, but the full metabolic response to thyroid hormone therapy is often delayed for a month or two before the patient feels completely normal. It is important that the correct amount of thyroid hormone is used. Not enough and the patient may have continued fatigue or some of the other symptoms of hypothyroidism. Too high a dose could cause symptoms of nervousness, palpitations or insomnia typical of hyperthyroidism. Some recent studies have suggested that too much thyroid hormone may cause increased calcium loss from bone increasing the patient's risk for osteoporosis. For patients with heart conditions or diseases, an optimal thyroid dose is particularly important. Even a slight excess may increase the patient's risk for heart attack or worsen angina. Some physicians feel that more frequent dose checks and blood hormone levels are appropriate in these patients.

[Misty77]

I realise that you're on Levothyroxine for life........ but the thing that I cannot understand is how I felt fine before I went into the Doctors, and as soon as she puts me on the medication, I feel permenantly awful. Surely something is wrong if I've gone from being fit and healthy to feeling permenantly unwell ? I'm 29 by the way.

[Octavius]

But you weren�t were you. You went to the doctor with an infection.

[shaneystar2]

I would go back to your GP and tell her what you have just told us and insist that you want another blood test . You may in fact not need 50mcg for example .You say you felt perfectly fit and healthy before she put you on the medication.If you had an underactive thyroid you would feel like poop warmed up I can assure you and would feel much better once on the correct dose....I know I did !
Have you been feeling jittery at all ....palpitations etc since being on the medication ? These doctors don't always get it right you know ..

[Miss Inquiry]

Not relevant to the Hypothyroidism, but for the iron... a lot of people who take iron tablets also get constipation after prolonged use, you might want to try Spatone iron supplement, comes in an orange box, avalible in tesco/sainsbury's any health food shop, it's a little sachet you can drink. Make sure you take lots of vitamin C too as the bosy needs it to absorb iron!
Hope you feel better soon.

[cazzz1975]

it takes time to adjust to a new dose, 50mcg is a low starting dose and you will need futher blood tests in 6 weeks to check your levels. I am on 100mcg dose and have felt much better on it, however with all replacement hormones thyroxine is a medicated dose so in times of stress and anxiety your body would normally produce more to compensate, with people with hypothyroidism you will only have the dose you recieve.

give it time to settle in then with blood tests you can get the right dose and you will feel really good.

When I was diagnosed I thought they were wrong as well, looking back there was a lot wrong that I put down to bad diet(I hardly ate) stress and having kids. it was all down to my thyroid and since taking it I lost a lot of weight and feel more like my old self.

It is for life and it is perfectly okay to take, problems occur if the dose isnt right, I was borderline and I am on 100mcg per day. let it settle for a while..

[dot.hawkes]

i was diagnosed in 1991 ans i have been on the same medication since then, 9early on it was a different brand name) i do have memory loss but then I always have had and i have developed tricks to trigger the correct thought, for instance, if i have to remember something i use a visual aid to trigger my thoughts, eg i will put my winnie the pooh teddy on top of my handbag at night and the next morning it reminds me i have to remember something and i always do remember what it is. I know peoplr may say why not write yourself a note, but noone loses paper like i do, at work i am a nightmare!!!
I have also had problems with my hair in the past but i have found that there are plenty of excelleny products availabloe that can help.
I do suffer with back and neck pain quite often but have done since my teens and i have quite a high pain tolerance to it now, occasionally i get a very severe back siezure but i put that down to falling off my horse when i was younger as i used to be very careless.
one of the main side efects i think is clumsiness, god i am awful! and i bruise easily too, which i also think is part of the condition.
Weight wise i do have to be careful but i am ok at the moment, avoid pork my deoctor told me years ago.
my sister developed SLE (Lupus) when she was 27 and insisted i took a test and that is when they found the thyroid problem, being allergic to penicillin, sunlight and plasters is also to do with it i believe. it is years since i tool any advice on it i just have the annual blood test and it is all fine.