Hypothyroidism

[Welshcookie 17]

After about a year of being unwell, and after some bloodwork, I was finally diagnosed with this a few weeks ago.

Anyone have experience of this condition? how long did it take for the meds to kick in and make you feel better?

And can anyone explain why after 42 yrs of having NHS available I get a lifelong disease 5 months before I leave for the States <------my hubby

[Eveline 9]

My husband had it (although mainly women have it). He was diagnosed with Hashimotos disease two years ago PLUS he had some weird growths in his thyroid so they had to take it out. During surgery his thyroid fell apart, the nodules weren't cancerous - thank goodness. He's on synthroid right now and doing a lot better. After being on Steroids for a while, due to urticaria BECAUSE of the thyroid problems and whacky hormones he'd gained a good 60lbs but almost lost it all by now.

The synthroid kicked in pretty good, only had to be adjusted once.

Good luck and all the best.

[Welshcookie 17]

Thanks for the input Eveline...interesting that your hubby has urticaria too...I suddenely developed chronic urticaria a few years ago and still have to take 2 anti histamines a day to control it I have gained a good 30lb since December, and dropped 7 in 10 days...long may that continue

Glad to read he is doing better

[DeadPoolX 9]

I have it. I'm on 125 mcg (or 0.125 mg, whichever you prefer) of synthroid to care of it.

[Welshcookie 17]

I have it. I'm on 125 mcg (or 0.125 mg, whichever you prefer) of synthroid to care of it.

Do you still have symptoms or do you find yourself back to 'normal'? (sorry...you can PM if you'd rather )

[DeadPoolX 9]

I have it. I'm on 125 mcg (or 0.125 mg, whichever you prefer) of synthroid to care of it.

Do you still have symptoms or do you find yourself back to 'normal'? (sorry...you can PM if you'd rather )

It's hard to tell. Sometimes I feel rather sluggish and tired, but that could be due to overworking and not getting enough sleep too. The greatest problem I had with hypothyroidism was my tendency to gain weight fairly easy and then have a much more difficult time shedding it as well.

[Mary Lou 681]

Yep, i have hypothroidism too.

It took a few good months for them to find me the correct dosage, but i also had other medical problems going on. But once it got sorted out it has been years since they have had to adjust my meds. But you will know by how you feel if your meds or counts have changed.

I do hate the weight issue, it is very hard to lose

I take Synthroid 150 mg.

Edited May 15, 2008 by garyandmarylou

[Eveline 9]

DH still has problems with his joints. He's complaining that his hands hurt sometimes but other than that, ever since his thyroid was taken out he hasn't had a bad urticaria outbreak. He was miserable at times, just red hives from head to toe... it was scary.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

My mom has it. I don't really know details except that she's lost a lot of weight and is much more energetic now that she's on meds.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Yep, i have hypothroidism too.

It took a few good months for them to find me the correct dosage, but i also had other medical problems going on. But once it got sorted out it has been years since they have had to adjust my meds. But you will know by how you feel if your meds or counts have changed.

I do hate the weight issue, it is very hard to lose

I take Synthroid 150 mg.

Just a nitpicky point here, but you can't take 150 mg. Unless you're really a canine, there's no way your metabolism could handle such a high dosage. I think you probably meant 150 mcg.

[Eveline 9]

My mom has it. I don't really know details except that she's lost a lot of weight and is much more energetic now that she's on meds.

I think when you lose weight it's hypERthyroidism...when you gain it it's hypOthyroidism...not sure though.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Oh. Like I said, I don't know details All I know is she has a thyroid thing and she's on meds

[Mary Lou 681]

Yep, i have hypothroidism too.

It took a few good months for them to find me the correct dosage, but i also had other medical problems going on. But once it got sorted out it has been years since they have had to adjust my meds. But you will know by how you feel if your meds or counts have changed.

I do hate the weight issue, it is very hard to lose

I take Synthroid 150 mg.

Just a nitpicky point here, but you can't take 150 mg. Unless you're really a canine, there's no way your metabolism could handle such a high dosage. I think you probably meant 150 mcg.

Opps i see i forgot the c. My bad

My mom has it. I don't really know details except that she's lost a lot of weight and is much more energetic now that she's on meds.

I think when you lose weight it's hypERthyroidism...when you gain it it's hypOthyroidism...not sure though.

Correct Eveline!

[Thai family 0]

After about a year of being unwell, and after some bloodwork, I was finally diagnosed with this a few weeks ago.

Anyone have experience of this condition? how long did it take for the meds to kick in and make you feel better?

And can anyone explain why after 42 yrs of having NHS available I get a lifelong disease 5 months before I leave for the States <------my hubby

It shows up more and more as we age, and is much more common in women. The most common cause is a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune process, which most people never know they have or had unless the blood antibody levels are checked. The onset is usually gradual. Some symptoms go away as soon as the blood levels return to normal. Since hypothyroidism affects *every* cell in the body, some symptoms may take months to resolve. Don't ever stop taking your levothyroxine, either (or whatever your doc is prescribing). I was stupid enough to drastically lower my dose because I wasn't sure if I was hypothyroid anymore. I should have definitely known better.That was really dumb and I paid big time. It took about a year to truly feel well again. I feel best when the TSH is between 1 and 2. The TSH is the most sensitive measure of thyroid function, and is what most docs will usually measure, unless there is some confounding factor.

Unfortunately, my thyroid was at it's lowest when we were in Thailand for 3/12 weeks and my son and his girl friend (now wife) were showing us around. I must have seemed pretty out of it to her.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Welshcookie 17]

Hope you feel better soon.

Thank you....I feel much more positive since my diagnosis actually...I look forward to getting back to my old self again soon.

Thanks everyone