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Does anyone here have an underactive thyroid?
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I was diagnosed as hypothyroid three years ago and my dose of Thyroxine has slowly increased from the initial 50mcg to 112.5mcg per day now. I take 100 on one day and 125 the next. This is because the results stated I was "overmedicated" when I took 125mcg each day.
I got my blood tested last October because I knew my levels were wrong. Sure enough, the tests came back that I needed a higher dose. That was when I was increased to 125. After 2 months, I was tested again and reduced to my present level. However, in myself I do not feel too great. I am ALWAYS cold except when I get hot sweats and the horrible palpitations.
My initial diagnosis was made after I went to the doctor's complaining of palpitations. The doctor suspected I was HYPERthyroid and that was why I was tested but obviously that was not the case. I wore a heart monitor for 24 hours and have been told I have ectopic heart beats. It can be very disconcerting when your heart seems to jump and then race.
I have just had a 24 hour heart monitor test this week, but don't know the result yet. This was why I went to the doctor initially because I thought I was going to have a heart attack, but blood tests came back showing the bad thyroid results and that has been the main area of concern since. Neither the doctor or endocronologist seemed to think the heart palpitations were in any way associated with the under active thyroid, but I have read about loads of people on here that have that. This is the reason why I was sent to a cardiologist for the heart test.
My thyroxine has been upped from 50mcgs initially to 75mcgs - can't say I feel any better really. I do notice that I get hot turns now - especially at night - and my knee joints feel stiff in the morning.
It's all very confusing - there is probably too much information to read! My 25mcgs tablets are a different brand to my 50mcgs tablets and some people seem to think that this can have an affect on how they work, but what can you do? If that is what is put up in your prescription you can hardly stand there and argue with the pharmacist. First time I was prescribed Eltroxin, now I am just on Levothyroxine made by a company called Alpharma and the smaller dose tablets are made by a company called Goldshield. In a couple of weeks when I have had another blood test they may put me up to 100mcgs per day.
How do you know if you are being over-medicated? I don't want to develop osteoporosis:eek: :eek:
I am just hoping that they will get it right soon and the thyroxine will work for me. Must admit I don't really fancy the piggy pills.
Thanks for all the information and advice.Stopped smoking 27/12/2007, but could start again at any time :eek:0 -
I was diagnosed with hashimoto’s 4yrs ago ad have felt up and down but generally rotten for 3.5yrs. I was diagnosed from bloods and an fna on an egg sized lump that appeared early in my 2nd pregnancy. I was permanently tired, sleeping whenever I could failed to lose much of my baby weight once my baby was born had very dry skin and felt flat but it was put down to my pregnancy/2 young children – my eldest was only just 2 when the second was born – and my job – pe teacher
To cut a long story short – After my son was born I was monitored and told my levels were normal. Quickly the feelings became my norm because that was what the docs were telling me and I accepted their reasons. I was pregnant with my 3rd before my 2nd was 12mths but things went further downhill for me then.
I was told my levels were still ‘ok’ and it was the 3 quick successive pregnancies, my hormones and my job that were the problem. They told me to get more support from my family, consider a career change and manage my time better. I have an incredible family and support, and the other two notions were ridiculous.
When my daughter was born I was physically drained and never recovered from the pregnancy and birth. I never lost the baby weight, developed excema, had painful stiff joints, lacked motivation and interest in anything, palpitations, sadness, irritable… oh those days. I spent weekends recovering from work there were days that even getting dressed was a chore and I’d watch my children play from the couch – I loved my children dearly but had no ‘will’ or energy to play with them. I was diagnosed with pnd, prescribed anti-d’s and cbt.
Something clicked and made me angry enough to dare to challenge this diagnosis and went for an appointment with my endocrinologist. They scanned and did a 3rd biopsy and the results were an increase in size and some suspicious acting cells.
Within 2mths the lump and half my thyroid were removed and bloods 3mths later had me put on 50mgs. I felt no change. 3mths later after bloods I was upped to 100mgs.
It’s as simple as this – I remember who I used to be and I enjoy my children, my job and my life – I have energy to give to things not just to keep me on my feet.
Recent reading shows me that my ‘ok’ results were obviously not ok for me – we’re all different and one person’s norm is another’s high or another’s low. It’s known to be appropriate to treat the person and deal with their wellbeing and have blood levels as support – not the other way around
I feel very let down by my gp and consultant. But tough – get on with it.
My learning curve and my resolve is to always trust my body and my instincts and to never allow a result to be ‘ok’ if I feel the slightest bit uneasy and unwell. If I feel unwell I will seek help and if it’s not forthcoming I will ask for another opinion.
Good luck to any thyroid newbees and feel well again soon – you will with the right treatment and care.
I’ve just read this back – sorry. It’s probably the first time I’ve said a little of how I felt. Thanks for all the positive statements, reassurance and the chance to share.
:T
So glad that you got there in the end, but sorry that you had to suffer for so long before being properly diagnosed. It is so frustrating when you know that there is something wrong, but the doctors just don't seem to believe you and think you are just being paranoid.
Are you just taking the usual synthetic thyroxine? From what everyone says it all seems to hinge on getting the dosage exactly right, but are the doctors willing to keep on doing blood tests and do those results actually mean you feel better.Stopped smoking 27/12/2007, but could start again at any time :eek:0 -
I’m on Levothyroxine – that’s the synthetic, the synthetic one yes? Must say(oink) though :rotfl: – the whole piggy pill thing wouldn’t bother me as I have a piggy ligament in my ankle after a bad netball injury!
My aunt (through marriage so no genetic link) is hypothyroid and is normally on 175mgs. She’s self medicated for the last 8 years – she has a choice of 3 tabs, 50, 75, 100mgs. She has had problems with swinging in how she feels and her results quite randomly and no reason has been found. As she is only due to now see our endocrinologist (same dude – pants with me but awesome with her…?...mad) every 12mths, he has given her 3 different prescriptions and with his blessing, she adjusts her own meds depending on how she feels.
I’ve not heard from my gp since my last bloods late feb – but the after the bloods in early dec it took a month for them to send me the scrip changing me from 50 to 100mgs – hey ho it never ends – maybe I should change surgeries…
I don’t know anything about the different brands and how they may interact, sorry.
I’ve had palpitations and ‘thuds’ for about 6yrs and was initially checked and told I had an irregular heart beat. Not sure how exact my experience is but I know that my palpitations were fairly regular, evenings mainly and often once laid down in bed. They’d be so powerful they would wake me up and my husband could see my chest jump. Pretty scarey sometimes but another thing that becomes your norm. Since my meds started, especially since mid Jan with the 100mgs, they’ve almost disappeared.
Where as a few years ago I would sleep in a t-shirt I’m still sleeping in full pjs plus a jumper and 2 blankets on top of the duvet with my hubby complaining of the sweats but at least I feel human during the day.
At the mo I’m thankful for the changes - i've lost 1st10lbs with no diet changes since nov - and not really thinking of the things that aren’t changing – EG the cold nights fixed with blankets and my skin’s still pretty dry but is fixed with presc. creams.
:confused: Only thing I don’t really know is when my next bloods will be – another daft thing that I’ve grown to accept from my gp…
All the best with your levels and drugs!:D
(I can't half rabbit.:eek: )0 -
I have just had a 24 hour heart monitor test this week, but don't know the result yet. This was why I went to the doctor initially because I thought I was going to have a heart attack, but blood tests came back showing the bad thyroid results and that has been the main area of concern since. Neither the doctor or endocronologist seemed to think the heart palpitations were in any way associated with the under active thyroid, but I have read about loads of people on here that have that. This is the reason why I was sent to a cardiologist for the heart test.
My thyroxine has been upped from 50mcgs initially to 75mcgs - can't say I feel any better really. I do notice that I get hot turns now - especially at night - and my knee joints feel stiff in the morning.
It's all very confusing - there is probably too much information to read! My 25mcgs tablets are a different brand to my 50mcgs tablets and some people seem to think that this can have an affect on how they work, but what can you do? If that is what is put up in your prescription you can hardly stand there and argue with the pharmacist. First time I was prescribed Eltroxin, now I am just on Levothyroxine made by a company called Alpharma and the smaller dose tablets are made by a company called Goldshield. In a couple of weeks when I have had another blood test they may put me up to 100mcgs per day.
How do you know if you are being over-medicated? I don't want to develop osteoporosis:eek: :eek:
I am just hoping that they will get it right soon and the thyroxine will work for me. Must admit I don't really fancy the piggy pills.
Thanks for all the information and advice.
I take calcium supplements as when I had half my thyroid removed they warned me about damage to the surrounding parathyroid glands which is where calcium is processed (or something).
Just incase I take supplements - I've not been checked but I feel better for doing it. I'm also hoping my constant steady level of exercise in my job - which I can again cope with - is also helping:j0 -
noonesperfect wrote: »I've gained a fair amount of weight, have dry skin, my nails are weaker than they were, I'm lethargic most of the time and often forgetful. I seem to feel the cold more, but can also boil up (though no obvious flush) in bed occasionally.
Mostly I sleep quite well, but can wake at 3am only to be up for the rest of the night. Or sleep for 9 hours (given the chance! usually wake after 7hrs though).
Just lately my heart has been fluttery and my pulse has been faster than usual for me (about an extra 15-20 bpm).
Everything in the "gynae" departmart working as it should, sorry if too much info.
Does that fit in with anyone else's symptoms?
It's not daft to mention gynae stuff - maybe too much info for some :eek: but it defo has an impact on your life.
I had dry skin 'all over'and couldn't wear thongs as they'd literally stick, I found sex painfully difficult and my periods would last for 2 weeks as I'd be spotting either side for a good 4/5 days. Since my meds (0-50-now100mgs) my periods are back to my usual 5 days and the 'business' is soooo much better and more normal and I can wear whatever knickers my outfit requires - yes I even have the energy and will to get dressed up need fancy knickers!
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Gemgold, the day I stop caring about VPL (visible panty line) and going out with mascara and lipstick, it will be time to nail me into my box!!!! My mother is 83 and she still goes out looking really smart even if it is only to the supermarket. She does not like to be seen in the same outfit twice. It must be in the genes. Her thyroid is fine though.
Regarding the different brands of levothyroxine. I cannot see how it would make any difference whatsover. The brands are what is known as "generic". They all have to be produced under licence and to the exact same standard. My husband is a chemist (not a pharmacist) and he works in regulatory for generic pharmaceutical companies.0 -
Gemgold, the day I stop caring about VPL (visible panty line) and going out with mascara and lipstick, it will be time to nail me into my box!!!! My mother is 83 and she still goes out looking really smart even if it is only to the supermarket. She does not like to be seen in the same outfit twice. It must be in the genes. Her thyroid is fine though.
Regarding the different brands of levothyroxine. I cannot see how it would make any difference whatsover. The brands are what is known as "generic". They all have to be produced under licence and to the exact same standard. My husband is a chemist (not a pharmacist) and he works in regulatory for generic pharmaceutical companies.
Thanks for the information, I personally don't see that different brands can make that much difference. I am sure it is a case of the more you read the more worried you get. Also a lot of the information is on US sites and they do tend to be a little OTT with things.
How long did it take you to get to the optimum dosage of levothyroxine? This seems to be the critical thing with everybody and it seems to vary so much.Stopped smoking 27/12/2007, but could start again at any time :eek:0 -
My dose has steadily risen over the last three years since diagnosis. Usually seems to be about a year before I need an increase. As I have said before I am now on 112.5mgm a day. (100/125 alternate days - a pain).
Whenever I have had a change, my GP usually wants me to be re-tested after 2 months which I assume is how long it takes to regulate. HTH.0 -
My whole family is riddled with thyroid problems (mother, brother, aunts, nieces and cousins) and it was no surprise that I too was found to have an underactive thyroid 20 years ago. After trial and error, I have settled down and take 125 mg per day. However, I still feel very cold most of the time, quite run down and tired all the time, very very dry skin, outside and in (!), constipated and all those sorts of symptoms you probably all have as well. I have had a cold, cough, cystitis, a cold again and a cough again, all since New Year and am feeling very fed up and sorry for myself. I was talking to a cousin who is on tablets and she said that she's been told that when you are hypothyroidic your immune system is a bit compromised and so is difficult to build up. That makes sense as I have tried to build mine up but it just doesn't seem to respond, despite a good diet etc.
I finally went to the doctors last week and got some antibiotics but thanks to reading threads like this and looking on other sites, I had the courage to ask about getting some medication for my T3 as well as my T4. Instead of dismissing me, he actually took me seriously and said he had some other patients who swore by taking the two kinds and he issued me with a prescription. I can't get the tablets until tomorrow but he said if they did make me feel better, they would work quite quickly! I feel very buoyed up by this, as if there is light at the end of the tunnel and I might start to feel better soon! By the way, this is only because I have been on this therapy for so long and have well and truly tried just the straightforward tablets for long enough. For those of you who have only just been diagnosed, I don't suppose it would be any good for you to ask about these until you have stabilised on the normal tablets which have made me feel fine until just recently. I am convinced that my daughter needs treatment but she has been told her levels are fine, despite all the usual symptoms including overwhelming tiredness.0 -
My whole family is riddled with thyroid problems (mother, brother, aunts, nieces and cousins) and it was no surprise that I too was found to have an underactive thyroid 20 years ago. After trial and error, I have settled down and take 125 mg per day. However, I still feel very cold most of the time, quite run down and tired all the time, very very dry skin, outside and in (!), constipated and all those sorts of symptoms you probably all have as well. I have had a cold, cough, cystitis, a cold again and a cough again, all since New Year and am feeling very fed up and sorry for myself. I was talking to a cousin who is on tablets and she said that she's been told that when you are hypothyroidic your immune system is a bit compromised and so is difficult to build up. That makes sense as I have tried to build mine up but it just doesn't seem to respond, despite a good diet etc.
I finally went to the doctors last week and got some antibiotics but thanks to reading threads like this and looking on other sites, I had the courage to ask about getting some medication for my T3 as well as my T4. Instead of dismissing me, he actually took me seriously and said he had some other patients who swore by taking the two kinds and he issued me with a prescription. I can't get the tablets until tomorrow but he said if they did make me feel better, they would work quite quickly! I feel very buoyed up by this, as if there is light at the end of the tunnel and I might start to feel better soon! By the way, this is only because I have been on this therapy for so long and have well and truly tried just the straightforward tablets for long enough. For those of you who have only just been diagnosed, I don't suppose it would be any good for you to ask about these until you have stabilised on the normal tablets which have made me feel fine until just recently. I am convinced that my daughter needs treatment but she has been told her levels are fine, despite all the usual symptoms including overwhelming tiredness.
What a terrible time you have had. Hope that the new tablets work for you and make you feel better. Please let us know how you get on and if they do work - we may all need them!Stopped smoking 27/12/2007, but could start again at any time :eek:0
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