|
|
Post by wonderwoman on Jul 1, 2016 5:18:58 GMT
The Dr. started me on medication for hypothyroidism.. How long does it usually take till you notice a difference in how you feel?
They put me on Levothyroxine, and apparently the pharmacy said the price has gone up X5 in the past 2 weeks..lucky me...
|
|
|
|
Post by hookedonpeas on Jul 1, 2016 5:34:17 GMT
6-8 weeks, but depends how high your TSH is, and how sensitive to hormones you are:) feel better!
|
|
|
|
Post by wonderwoman on Jul 1, 2016 5:43:30 GMT
6-8 weeks, but depends how high your TSH is, and how sensitive to hormones you are:) feel better! Thanks, the dr said she may have to tweak the dosage in a month to see what works best... |
|
Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,963 
Location: North Idaho
|
Post by Nink on Jul 1, 2016 6:12:21 GMT
The Dr. started me on medication for hypothyroidism.. How long does it usually take till you notice a difference in how you feel? They put me on Levothyroxine, and apparently the pharmacy said the price has gone up X5 in the past 2 weeks..luck me... If you have a Walmart near you they usually have this medication really cheap. I've been on Levothyroxine for 3 years. I'm still waiting to feel better. |
|
|
|
Post by wonderwoman on Jul 1, 2016 6:21:09 GMT
The Dr. started me on medication for hypothyroidism.. How long does it usually take till you notice a difference in how you feel? They put me on Levothyroxine, and apparently the pharmacy said the price has gone up X5 in the past 2 weeks..luck me... If you have a Walmart near you they usually have this medication really cheap. I've been on Levothyroxine for 3 years. I'm still waiting to feel better. oh Nink, it has been 3 years and the medication didn't help? That is awful ... Has you dr adjusted the dosage? I cannot imagine going 3 more years of what I have been going thru.. |
|
Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,963
Location: North Idaho
|
Post by Nink on Jul 1, 2016 7:18:25 GMT
My thyroid levels are all over the place. I know several people taking it that have gotten relief. I think I may talk to the endocrinologist about taking Synthroid. I've heard that can make a difference. I'm not sure how true that is. I hope this works for you and you feel better fast.
|
|
valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 6,225
|
Post by valincal on Jul 1, 2016 7:59:29 GMT
My thyroid levels are all over the place. I know several people taking it that have gotten relief. I think I may talk to the endocrinologist about taking Synthroid. I've heard that can make a difference. I'm not sure how true that is. I hope this works for you and you feel better fast. I thought Synthroid was Levothyroxine... I was recently diagnosed as hypothyroid but I think my case is unusual as I had no symptoms and the lowest dose of Synthroid has brought my TSH down to a very good place. I hope you ladies are treated successfully. Take care. |
|
back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
|
Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 1, 2016 11:42:53 GMT
TSH is really not a indicator of thyroid health. The best thing you can do is to educate yourself and be your own advocate. I highly recommend that you go to the website Stop the Thyroid Madness. They have a section which explains the full panel of thyroid tests and how to interpret results. There is information about the different thyroid med's out there and dosing information. Information about the adrenals and an explanation of how to treat them first if you have this issue.
Don't assume your doctor knows how to treat you. That was my first mistake with an endocrinologist. The path to wellness took me years. I do not do well on synthetic hormone (which is what you are taking) and it actually made me much sicker. Within a few weeks every joint in my body ached and I was exhausted and in pain. I do much better with a natural desiccated thyroid medication. It is still something you get with a prescription, it's not a supplement. I need both t3 and t4 hormones. The first NDT I took was Armour but I changed two years ago to WP Thyroid and that seems to be the most effective formulation for me.
Another great source of information is Hashimotos Finding Your Root Causes by Izabella Wentz. I've incorporated dietary changes - gluten free and very limited dairy and take supplements. I had long ago accepted that if I felt 80% energy 80% of the time then that was the best I could do. But I was wrong, I was eating a healthy mostly paleo diet and found the Whole 30 online. I just completed my first Whole 30 and I feel nothing short of amazing. My energy level is through the roof!
Most doctors put you on a synthetic hormone and send you in your way. There is so much more you can do for yourself but you have to seek out the information on your own. Good luck to you!
|
|
|
|
Post by kristi521 on Jul 1, 2016 11:49:40 GMT
My thyroid levels are all over the place. I know several people taking it that have gotten relief. I think I may talk to the endocrinologist about taking Synthroid. I've heard that can make a difference. I'm not sure how true that is. I hope this works for you and you feel better fast. When I was hypo, my endocrinologist said that some respond better to the name brand than the generic. It is something that helped me. I am now hyper and preparing to have my thyroid destroyed in a couple weeks.Then I will be back on Synthroid. |
|
|
|
Post by kristi521 on Jul 1, 2016 11:50:32 GMT
My thyroid levels are all over the place. I know several people taking it that have gotten relief. I think I may talk to the endocrinologist about taking Synthroid. I've heard that can make a difference. I'm not sure how true that is. I hope this works for you and you feel better fast. I thought Synthroid was Levothyroxine... I was recently diagnosed as hypothyroid but I think my case is unusual as I had no symptoms and the lowest dose of Synthroid has brought my TSH down to a very good place. I hope you ladies are treated successfully. Take care. Synthroid is the name brand, Levothyroxine is generic, iirc. |
|
|
|
Post by kristi521 on Jul 1, 2016 11:52:14 GMT
TSH is really not a indicator of thyroid health. The best thing you can do is to educate yourself and be your own advocate. I highly recommend that you go to the website Stop the Thyroid Madness. They have a section which explains the full panel of thyroid tests and how to interpret results. There is information about the different thyroid med's out there and dosing information. Information about the adrenals and an explanation of how to treat them first if you have this issue. Don't assume your doctor knows how to treat you. That was my first mistake with an endocrinologist. The path to wellness took me years. I do not do well on synthetic hormone (which is what you are taking) and it actually made me much sicker. Within a few weeks every joint in my body ached and I was exhausted and in pain. I do much better with a natural desiccated thyroid medication. It is still something you get with a prescription, it's not a supplement. I need both t3 and t4 hormones. The first NDT I took was Armour but I changed two years ago to WP Thyroid and that seems to be the most effective formulation for me. Another great source of information is Hashimotos Finding Your Root Causes by Izabella Wentz. I've incorporated dietary changes - gluten free and very limited dairy and take supplements. I had long ago accepted that if I felt 80% energy 80% of the time then that was the best I could do. But I was wrong, I was eating a healthy mostly paleo diet and found the Whole 30 online. I just completed my first Whole 30 and I feel nothing short of amazing. My energy level is through the roof! Most doctors put you on a synthetic hormone and send you in your way. There is so much more you can do for yourself but you have to seek out the information on your own. Good luck to you! It is so frustrating trying to find a doctor that is willing to put you on a NDT. The doctors I have been to have all turned their noses up at NDT. |
|
|
|
Post by shanniebananie on Jul 1, 2016 11:59:17 GMT
Always ask for Synthroid, not the generic. It has been proven not to work as well. I pay $34 a month for it.
|
|
back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
|
Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 1, 2016 12:09:46 GMT
kristi521 I went for years with brain fog from Doctor to doctor and until I found one that would give me NDT. Demand it or find a new doctor. I finally found an MD who has hashimotos herself and practices as a natropath and we have such a great partnership. I went low and slow and built up my dosage over time. The first doctor who prescribed Armour kept me on the same dosage for years but he didn't run the full panel and didn't know how to interpret results. As it turns out my reverse T3 levels were too high. He never even tested Rt3. My new doctor did a whole battery of blood work I think the report was 8 pages long. It gave her a full picture of what was going on and she developed an individual protocol to treat me. I find most doctors want to give you synthetic hormones in a one size fits all treatment and send you away. I cannot tell you how many times I was offered an anti depressant but ask for NDT and they get defiant.
|
|
mallie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,253
|
Post by mallie on Jul 1, 2016 12:16:45 GMT
I have taken Synthroid for over a year. No improvement except my hair stopped falling out. My weighthas continued to increase and my energy levels are low.
I tried the Whole 30 for a year (didn't know it was called the Whole 30 at the time, it was just what the nutritionist working with my doctor wanted me to try) and that also did nothing. Plus the gluten free thing made me feel so deprived. (Yes, that was a Wendy Whiner moment. I wouldn't whine, of course, if it had worked.)
|
|
TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,876
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
|
Post by TankTop on Jul 1, 2016 12:25:25 GMT
Can you ladies tell when there is a need for adjustment?
I can totally tell. My work partner can as well. She often notices before I do and tells me to call the doc. Lol! For me I either lose depth perception and run into things or have word finding issues. Anyone else?
|
|
back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
|
Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 1, 2016 12:34:37 GMT
I have had many health issues in my lifetime that are classified as autoimmune: asthma, endometriosis, hashimotos thyroiditus and new in 2016 alopecia areata. It's all caused by inflammation. The Whole 30 is a reset and I truly believe it has put the alopecia in remission and new hair growth started immediately. My dermatologist was very surprised at my last visit.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:47:36 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2016 12:58:43 GMT
I was recently diagnosed as hypothyroid but I think my case is unusual as I had no symptoms and the lowest dose of Synthroid has brought my TSH down to a very good place. I hope you ladies are treated successfully. Take care. I'm in the same boat. I was put on the lowest dose of Synthroid and my levels when into a normal range right away. That being said, it looks like I just acquired another autoimmune disease called Sjogren's Syndrome. I'm pretty unhappy about that. :-( I just placed a hold on this at my library and am going to check it out. I'll do anything at this point to get some hope back into my world. Thanks for the recommendation. |
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Jul 1, 2016 13:04:20 GMT
My endocrinologist is very emphatic that brand name Synthroid is significantly better than generic and won't let the military pharmacy give me anything but brand name.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:47:36 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2016 13:14:57 GMT
My endocrinologist is very emphatic that brand name Synthroid is significantly better than generic and won't let the military pharmacy give me anything but brand name. I'm on the generic version and if my levels go out of whack, I'll have to bring that to my doctor's attention. We get our meds from the military pharmacy as well. |
|
|
|
Post by elaine on Jul 1, 2016 13:22:34 GMT
My endocrinologist is very emphatic that brand name Synthroid is significantly better than generic and won't let the military pharmacy give me anything but brand name. I'm on the generic version and if my levels go out of whack, I'll have to bring that to my doctor's attention. We get our meds from the military pharmacy as well. Yes, I asked my doc during my last visit (2 weeks ago) to sign the form so that Express Scripts can fill it by mail, and he said "no" because they would automatically give me generic - no choice - and he wanted me to only take brand name Synthroid. That is all I've gotten from a variety of military pharmacies for years now. |
|
valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 6,225
|
Post by valincal on Jul 1, 2016 15:26:01 GMT
Thanks for the info on Synthroid/Levothyroxine ladies. Good health to all!
|
|
back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
|
Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 1, 2016 15:30:40 GMT
I have taken Synthroid for over a year. No improvement except my hair stopped falling out. My weighthas continued to increase and my energy levels are low. I tried the Whole 30 for a year (didn't know it was called the Whole 30 at the time, it was just what the nutritionist working with my doctor wanted me to try) and that also did nothing. Plus the gluten free thing made me feel so deprived. (Yes, that was a Wendy Whiner moment. I wouldn't whine, of course, if it had worked.) Keep digging to find your root cause and find what works best for you. If you are taking synthroid which is T4 only, maybe you are like me and not good at converting that to the active T3 hormone that regulates metabolism. There are so many options out there both synthetic and NDT. I am going to stay with the Whole 30 but allow myself an occasional glass of wine or a fabulous homemade gluten free dessert now and then. I have also struggled with weight and packed on the pounds over the years. I've lost 15 pounds in the last two months and want to keep going. Don't give up! |
|
back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
|
Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 1, 2016 15:42:46 GMT
I was recently diagnosed as hypothyroid but I think my case is unusual as I had no symptoms and the lowest dose of Synthroid has brought my TSH down to a very good place. I hope you ladies are treated successfully. Take care. I'm in the same boat. I was put on the lowest dose of Synthroid and my levels when into a normal range right away. That being said, it looks like I just acquired another autoimmune disease called Sjogren's Syndrome. I'm pretty unhappy about that. :-( I just placed a hold on this at my library and am going to check it out. I'll do anything at this point to get some hope back into my world. Thanks for the recommendation. I am sorry that your autoimmunity morphed (my phrase) into something else. From what I have read over the years it's not uncommon. I was at a bridal shower and the brides mom, my friend and a mutual friend all have hashimotos. The two asked me what I was doing because they noticed the weight loss, especially in my face and that my skin was looking good. So I told them what I was doing and they want to try it too. It's worth a try. I do want to warn you that in the beginning you feel pretty crappy but then around day 10 I felt better and each successive day was better than the last! Good luck and let me know how you do. I did not buy the book. I downloaded the shopping list which is available for free on line. Just eat what's on the list. I do a lot of prep work on Sunday - it is a lot of work because all of your food is prepared from scratch but to me the benefits have been well worth my time. |
|
mallie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,253
|
Post by mallie on Jul 1, 2016 15:47:35 GMT
I have taken Synthroid for over a year. No improvement except my hair stopped falling out. My weighthas continued to increase and my energy levels are low. I tried the Whole 30 for a year (didn't know it was called the Whole 30 at the time, it was just what the nutritionist working with my doctor wanted me to try) and that also did nothing. Plus the gluten free thing made me feel so deprived. (Yes, that was a Wendy Whiner moment. I wouldn't whine, of course, if it had worked.) Keep digging to find your root cause and find what works best for you. If you are taking synthroid which is T4 only, maybe you are like me and not good at converting that to the active T3 hormone that regulates metabolism. There are so many options out there both synthetic and NDT. I am going to stay with the Whole 30 but allow myself an occasional glass of wine or a fabulous homemade gluten free dessert now and then. I have also struggled with weight and packed on the pounds over the years. I've lost 15 pounds in the last two months and want to keep going. Don't give up! Thanks for the encouragement. I feel overwhelmed trying to figure out what tests i should ask to take or meds to try (which I feel is the doctor's job and it pisses me off ) and the lack of energy mAkes it hard to keep fighting. Although, I simply do not believe that there is a fabulous gluten free dessert. I actually gave up dessert as a possibility during that time because it was better to have nothing than the options before me. |
|
|
|
Post by cath4k on Jul 1, 2016 15:53:17 GMT
I have Hashimoto's with an enlarged thyroid and nodules. I also have a tendency to shunt my T4 into Reverse T3 rather than T3. My doctor does use natural desiccated hormone (Armour), but thought it best that I not use it because of my issue to convert to RT3. I am on Levothyroxine (T4) and a lot of Liothyronine (T3). That does the trick for me. I may eventually switch to Armour, but this works for now.
I take the Levo and Lio together first thing in the morning and then another dose of Lio later in the afternoon. It took nine months of testing every six weeks and raising me to get me to the right place. Then six months later I needed to raise the dose again.
You can't go by the TSH. You need to be testing the T4 and T3. T3 is the active form and the one you need to be most concerned with. I can't have low-normal T3 without serious symptoms. My body needs to be at a high-normal range for me to feel good.
I went to the "best" thyroid doctors in my area and they didn't help me. They diagnosed the Hashi's and watched me run hyper for a bit (because you can fluctuate with Hashi's) and did an ultrasound every year, but they never gave me hormones because they would only test the TSH and T4. It wasn't until I got to a doctor who would test the T3 that I got help. He found that while I would make enough T4, I wouldn't convert enough of it to T3 - so I was hypothyroid. I suffered for five years before I got help. My sex hormones also derailed during that time.
I am a completely new person from getting both my thyroid and my sex hormones taken care of. Seriously. I went from unable to do the most basic things to being able to do physical labor all day long.
ETA: I am also gluten free and would highly recommend it. There is a connection between Hashi's and celiac. One of my daughters is confirmed celiac by endoscopy. The rest of us have not had the endoscopy, but we had the antibodies and she carries the gene, so we are all gluten free. |
|
|
|
Post by chichi on Jul 1, 2016 17:18:37 GMT
I had thyroid cancer approx 10 years ago. I have been through the generics, name brands, multiple doses schedules during the week, combinations of synthroid and cytomel. I was getting my thyroid blood work checked every 8-12 weeks for most of that time
I learned that for me name brand worked much better than generic. Even when I felt "best" on a certain dosing regime, it's still nothing like having your own native thyroid gland producing thyroid hormone that your body recognizes. The biggest lie hat was told to me as that " all I'd have to do was to take synthroid and I'd feel better.
Also I experienced wide fluctuations in my thyroid levels despite being on the same dose of synthroid and cytomel ( a T3 drug bc I discovered I didn't convert synthroid which is a T4 replacement). I've read later that the makers of synthroid had issues with keeping quality control within proper standards)
Finally after 10 years of " no active disease" I asked my endo to give me Armour thyroid. Armour has T4and T 3 in it as it is derived from pigs. I definitely feel better than when I was on synthroid/cytomel combo. But it's still not like having your own thyroid hormone.
Many people told me that thyroid cancer was the good cancer. But most people even endos don't realize the extent of what not having a thyroid does to you and your family. I have experienced fatigue so great that it just can't be explained, brain fog,weight gain despite my best efforts in the gym several times a week, hair loss, edema that's just the hypothyroid part. When I slip into hyperthyroidism there's the restless to no sleep, easily agitated, panic attacks, high anxiety, and still extreme fatigue
Part of the treatment for thyroid cancer is to keep your TSH down ( hyperthyroid) to suppress remnant thyroid tissue regrowth I had surgery and radioactive iodine. Oh and there were/ are lively side effects from being radioactive for a week that I still deal with
|
|
|
|
Post by PEArfect on Jul 1, 2016 17:31:48 GMT
I started taking Synthroid when I was a teenager, and I noticed a difference right away. I was able to raise my arms above my head to wash my hair, and shower without falling asleep.  I have been given the generic version of Synthroid a few times, but I prefer Synthroid. The only positive of the generic was weight-loss, but my hypothyroidism symptoms weren't managed. I was weak, had brittle nails, dry skin... |
|
basketdiva
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,699
|
Post by basketdiva on Jul 1, 2016 19:24:01 GMT
I'm on the generic version and if my levels go out of whack, I'll have to bring that to my doctor's attention. We get our meds from the military pharmacy as well. Yes, I asked my doc during my last visit (2 weeks ago) to sign the form so that Express Scripts can fill it by mail, and he said "no" because they would automatically give me generic - no choice - and he wanted me to only take brand name Synthroid. That is all I've gotten from a variety of military pharmacies for years now. It's my understanding that if the doctor checks "dispense" as written, the pharmacy has fill the rx as written. Express Scripts will charge a higher price for a non-generic drug though |
|
back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
|
Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 1, 2016 19:34:01 GMT
Many of my friends know I am gluten free and if they are having a get together they ask me to make a gluten free dessert because there are usually other guests that might want that option. This is the most decadent chocolate cake that you will ever taste it is very dense and a small piece is satisfying. This ricotta and marscapone cheesecakeis a family favorite that I make once a year at Easter. It is my son and his girlfriend's favorite. I don't use the lemon and substitute vanilla for the fiori di sicilia. It is light and fluffy. A summer favorite that is always a big hit blueberry crisp. This is one of my favorites, my son's girlfriend's brother is vegan so I made this at Christmas and he loved it raspberry coconut almond barsmallie there are so many gluten free blogs out there Gluten Free Goddess is my go to and Gluten Free Girl. Many of the paleo blogs also have desserts that fit the lifestyle. |
|
|
|
Post by anonrefugee on Jul 1, 2016 20:00:26 GMT
Good luck as you navigate this. Try and remember it's very individualized and that makes the solution hard to find. And the process frustrating.
We each want to share what's helped us, but you have to do your homework. Synthroid is supposedly more consistent than a generic, that's why some doctors prefer it. Armour is "natural" but they're big pharma too. And natural, isn't always bee pollen and nasturtiums, so check out the contents if you care.
I'm kind of depressing myself here. I should stop.
But bit by bit, you start to find the little things that work for you and it does get better. Like I'm not convinced I need to go gluten free yet. But I know overall I'm happier on low carb, and most of my non-fruit carbs are Coke or pizza crust. So I am getting there...
Good luck!
|
|
