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[warwick01]

Hi

Yes countrybumkin.... the receptionist got it wrong.

I have increased my Tyroxine to 125 hopefully things will improve. Feeling really tired every afternoon, going to bed around 2:00 till 4:00. then ready for bed at 9:00.

Anyone know how long it takes to feel better, more energised etc???

W xx

[babyjane]

quite a while, your TSH will gradually decrease now but be patient, it isn't a quick fix.

[countrybumpkin]

As babyjane says it takes time and to be honest the worst thing you can do and it can be dangerous is to increase too quicky - your body needs time to adjust safely.  Usually you would have another test in 8-12 weeks preferably 8 weeks.

I have found there is quite a time lag whenever I had to increase or decrease my meds so the first repeat test 8 weeks later would not be a true reflection of my dosage change but another one 8 weeks after that would be how it was stabiliting.

patience is all I can say

[babyjane]

when I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto's my TSH was 52 and my haemoglobin was just under 6 and I was on the verge of needing a blood transfusion.  It was a good 18 months before I stabilised on 150mcg thyroxine.  I was started on 25mcg for a month then 50mcg for 3 months and then slowly increased but I did not start to feel better or see an improvement in my symptoms for about 4 months.

[warwick01]

Hi Ladies,

Thanks for your reply together with your interest.

reading the comments above, is there a link between Iron deficiency and low thyroid? The reason for my question is I'm feeling really tired with no energy all the time. I keep trying to do house chores but I need to keep sitting down. Also the weight is creeping on already 2 stone over weight. I have only felt like this for around 5 weeks...... so it may be just my low thyroid.

7 weeks and blood test again. Should I ask for Iron levels too??

Wxx

[babyjane]

I would warwick, it can't do any harm and if they are low you don't want them dropping any further.

Think of the thyroid as the conductor of the orchestra, which is your body.  If the thyroid is not working properly the whole body will be out of sorts.  My mother had the same condition and we both had severe constipation, feeling cold, weight gain, anaemia and sluggishness.

The first indication that my levels have dropped a bit low is difficulty with constipation.

[countrybumpkin]

Did you Gp not do routine bloods at the same time as your thyroid tests?  I always have full blood count and kidney and liver tests at same time as thyroid.
If you haven't had a full blood count in past 6 months then its def worth asking for one.
I have never ever been anaemic in the 30 years I have had a thyroid condition but I can imagine a combination of the two won't be good

[babyjane]

I wonder if it is GPs countrybumpkin.  My endo always does all the bloods including vitamin D and he requests a DEXA scan every 3 years because of the possible effects of long term thyroxine.

I don't think everyone gets all the symptoms but my low thyroid affected my red blood cell production because it took such a long time to get picked up.  I was having treatment for constipation, dry skin, heavy periods for at least 2 years until my mother was diagnosed with Hashimoto's and the symptoms all fell into place.  I went and asked for a thyroid function test and the GP said it was unlikely but he humoured me.  A few days later he rang me at home to say I was severely anaemic and my TSH was 52!  When my levels could still not be stabilised over 2 years later I was referred to endocrinology.  The consultant I have now is brilliant and I trust him with my life.  I would not be as well as I am without his care. 

Many women don't realise the importance of the thyroid and how an imbalance can affect your whole body and the doctors do not seem to take it seriously either.  I mean a reference range of 0.5 - 4.5 is silly.  If my TSH was 4 I would be classed as 'normal' but my own 'normal' is 1.5.  Everyone is different.

[Katejo]

I wonder if it is GPs countrybumpkin.  My endo always does all the bloods including vitamin D and he requests a DEXA scan every 3 years because of the possible effects of long term thyroxine.

I don't think everyone gets all the symptoms but my low thyroid affected my red blood cell production because it took such a long time to get picked up.  I was having treatment for constipation, dry skin, heavy periods for at least 2 years until my mother was diagnosed with Hashimoto's and the symptoms all fell into place.  I went and asked for a thyroid function test and the GP said it was unlikely but he humoured me.  A few days later he rang me at home to say I was severely anaemic and my TSH was 52!  When my levels could still not be stabilised over 2 years later I was referred to endocrinology.  The consultant I have now is brilliant and I trust him with my life.  I would not be as well as I am without his care. 

Many women don't realise the importance of the thyroid and how an imbalance can affect your whole body and the doctors do not seem to take it seriously either.  I mean a reference range of 0.5 - 4.5 is silly.  If my TSH was 4 I would be classed as 'normal' but my own 'normal' is 1.5.  Everyone is different.

I saw an endo yesterday but she didn't inspire me. Will have to wait for blood test results. She tested for T4  T3 and also vits D3  and B12. Thinks my Levo  should possibly be reduced but I am not convinced. Did try  150 mcg. For about 6 weeks but didn't notice any improvement.  Wondering whether it would be worth seeing a private  consultant once I have the full test results.

[countrybumpkin]

At least the T3 test will tell them if you are converting thyroxine to a usable form. This is the test that is so hard to get nowadays and almost impossible to get via GP on nhs grrrr.
If you are willing you could try and find an endocrinologist that specialises in thyroid disorders privately, depending on where you live as too how far you will have to travel.

[Katejo]

At least the T3 test will tell them if you are converting thyroxine to a usable form. This is the test that is so hard to get nowadays and almost impossible to get via GP on nhs grrrr.
If you are willing you could try and find an endocrinologist that specialises in thyroid disorders privately, depending on where you live as too how far you will have to travel.

I am wondering whether to try a private consultation or not. I am in London so i imagine one is not too far away. A colleague (who has Graves) has already mentioned one to me in the Paddington area. I assume though that T3 treatment/medication is not available on the NHS so patients have to pay for private prescriptions?
 One symptom which started very recently is a muscular tight  feeling front and back on the left hand side. I feel it when i breathe in.  I mentioned it to the endo She did an external examination and didn't find anything but also didn't seem to think it was relevant to hypothyroidism.  However it is listed on Thyroid UK as a symptom of underactive so I am not convinced.   http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_the_thyroid/hypothyroidism_signs_symptoms.html 
I took a copy of this list with me and ticked the boxes which applied but she barely glanced at it.
I have just made a GP appointment and may ask for a chest Xray. I can't decide whether to worry about it or not

[babyjane]

 I assume though that T3 treatment/medication is not available on the NHS so patients have to pay for private prescriptions?
 

I get my endocrinology consultant appointments, blood tests, thyroxine and T3 treatment on the NHS.  If a consultant endo prescribes then the prescription has to be filled by the GP surgery.