gemanb  Posted: 01/04/2013 20:04

Hi all,

New to this site so hope I am posting in the right area :) I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 10 years ago and have been taking eltroxin ever since. I have never felt that the eltroxin has worked well with regards my symptoms, merely improving them a little but never fully better if that makes sense.

Anyway, recently I have lowered my dose and my syptoms have improved so I am considering stopping taking them altogether to see what happens! Has anyone else done this? what was the outcome?

My doctor has never sent me to the Endo so I have no idea what causes my hypo. Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)

askm  Posted: 21/08/2012 15:56

Hi , I too am new to this site and was diagnosed in February 2012. At the time my gp said it was the worst case he had ever seen. I also have a serious back injury going back to 2009 and most of my recent health problems were attributed to that. I gave up smoking in 2011 after thirty years to see if my back problems would improve. Shortly after, I gained a lot of weight , suffered from swollen feet, pins and needles in my hands and stiffness in my fingers. I had blood tests for the swelling ( results were dependant oedema) tests for carpal tunnel,(positive in both hands), stiffness diagnosed as a result of statins for cholesterol and rheumatoid arthritis in my thumbs.. All were ,I was advised, as a result of my back problems. I have very little mobility so I was knitting a lot hence the swollen feet and hand problems. In January 2012 I had carpal tunnel release on one hand and the surgeon said it was extremely tight. In February I had a routine blood test to check my cholesterol levels and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. My gp put me on eltroxin 50 and I have to say that I feel no better. I would go as far as to say that I feel worse. If my levels were correct in February and as bad as I was told then how could the results from my blood test in August be normal. I have gained almost one and a half stone in six months and while I am constantly reducing my food intake I am still gaining weight

Morena  Posted: 01/05/2009 21:24

Hi,

I went to my GP in Italy because I was feeling very anxious and my heart was beating very fast. I couldn't sleep at night too. I 2 weeks I got an ecography for the Thyroid and very detailed blood tests. I have no lumps on the thyroid and the blood test are perfect. However, he gave me some Metimazolo, 2,5mg per day. I feel a lot better and I can sleep now. I will get another blood test in 3 months and see what happens.

In Italy, it's quite common having thyroid problems, expecially after Chernobyl, but the treatments are fast and very cheap. Medicines are free too.

Morena

tas  Posted: 18/04/2009 19:48

hi, my friend has been told she needs radium treatment for a thyroid problem.

she worried sick...cause she has two young girls.

her question is...does she need to take any special precautions with her girls after shes had the radium treatment?

shes worried that maybe she the radium might cause some problems for them.

i'd be greatful if someone gets back to me asap as she will be going for this treatment soon.

tasmin

Liz004  Posted: 03/04/2009 15:22

Hi, Just wondering does anyone have any advice ? I think i have the symtoms of an underactive thyroid. I am constantly feeling tired no matter how much sleep i get, no energy for much. I have put on about 1 1/2 stone since xmas ! I gave up the cigs in jan but i really dont think this is the weight increase as i monitor what i eat just 3 meals a day no snacks i drink plenty of water and i also took up walking since jan and i walk for 1 hour (fast) 5 nights a week. I am thinking of goin to my gp to see what she thinks maybe just have blood tests done just incase cause surely if u were walking and not eating any rubbish you couldnt put that much weight on ?

Puddin   Posted: 31/03/2009 10:11

Missyleih, you shouldn’t be waiting until June for a blood test if you are feeling so unwell – go now. I know most doctors recommend blood tests every 6 months once you are on medication but if you are not feeling well then you need to go back sooner.

It takes 6 weeks for an increase in medication to take full effect so if you had your medication increase recently and its not helped then go back. Have you seen a consultant?

Having an underactive thyroid is difficult – you can go from good to bad in an incredibly short space of time. I feel unwell, tired and unhappy when mine is underactive. I’ve include my test results below for you to read – you can see how I felt with each test and why I have made the decision to get my bloods done more often to monitor my levels.

October 2005 - Diagnosis: Put on 50mg eltroxyin: I had repeated sore throats, infections and felt awful – I cried at the drop of a hat and had put on about 2 stone in 3 months. Free T4 - 12.8 (8.0-22.0) TSH - 6.9 (0.3-4.0) January 2006 – I was feeling better than I had in years and had lost 1 stone Free T4 - 16.7 (8.0-22.0) TSH - 3.1 (0.3-4.0) July 2006 - Medication Increased: Put on 100mg eltroxyin: Symptoms had returned again so my mediation was increase Free T4 - 15.4 (8.0-22.0) TSH - 6.9 (0.3-4.0) T3 - 2.6 (1.1-2.8) February 2007 – My energy levels were throw the roof and I felt great

Free T4 - 15.3 (10.6-21.0) TSH - 2.95 (0.34-3.81) October 2007 - Medication Increased: Put on 150mg eltroxyin x 2 days, 100 mg x 5 days: Again, tiredness and depression. I think you can clearly see a 6 month cycle where the medication works and then my thyroid stops working again Free T4 - 14.8 (9.0-21.0) TSH - 4.22 (0.45-3.5) March 2008 – I was feeling mediocre here Free T4 - 15.5 (9.0-21.0) TSH - 3.05(0.45-3.5) August 2008 – I had felt awful and had been to my doctors a number of times for repeated throat infections.

Free T4 - 11.5 (9.0-21.0) TSH - 3.38 (0.45-3.5)

October 2008 – My doctor refused to increase my medication based on the last results even though I was feeling so bad, 2 months later my levels had plummeted. Also, note that my Folic acid, iron and B12 were all low. I started taking supplements at this point

TSH 4.76 (0.45-3.5) Free T4 12.6 (9.0-21.0) TPO Antibodies 1766.3 (0.0-60.0)

Serum Flotae 8.5 (2.7-20.0) Serum Ferritin 5.3 (20.0-300.0) Serum B12 428 (150-1000)

February 2009 – Feeling fantastic although my doctor is concerned regarding my low TSH – I have never felt so good so this is obviously the level that works for me. It is really trial and error. I am going back in the middle of April to get the tests redone and still on all the supplements

TSH 0.20 (0.45-3.5) Free T4 18.7 (9.0-21.0) T3 2.1 (1.2-2.5) TPO Antibodies 610.3 (0.0-60.0) Serum Folate >20.0 (2.7-20.0) Serum Ferritin 36 (20.0-300.0) Serum B12 421 (150-1000)

missyleih  Posted: 30/03/2009 21:46

Hi

I'm due a blood test in mid june. Since i wrote that last message i have started to feel better, still not 100%. i still suffer fatigue, dizziness and a fuzzy head from time to time. Does UnderactiveThyroid Diseases feel worse at times?

Puddin   Posted: 30/03/2009 13:19

missyleih, have you had your blood tested again recently?

missyleih  Posted: 25/02/2009 21:10

Hi i was diagnosed with underactive thyroid last September and i am now on eltroxin 100. I still dont feel any better nor am i losing weight. I suffer dizziness, fuzzy head, headaches,aching muscles, severe fatigue and get weepy and agitated very often. I need some advice or hope. I feel like i'll never feel good again. Please help

Hate Scaremongers  Posted: 02/12/2008 20:58

RE: Grave's Disease and Over Active Thyroid.

I have read different articles on Grave's disease and they state that Grave's is the most common cause of over active thyroid. I was just wondering why there does not seem to be many discussion threads about this condition, yet there is plenty about under active thyroid. Anyone any comments on this?

Puddin   Posted: 15/09/2008 16:29

I was diagnosed 3 years ago and am currently on 100 of elltroxyn 5 days per week and 150, the other 2. I have been feeling miserable of late so I went back to get my levels test. In Feb my TSH was 3.2 and then in Sept it was 3.38. My T4 has also fallen and is now is 11. Given how bad I've been feeling and the repeated bad health recently I assumed my doctor would alter my dose. However she refused saying that as I will still under the top level of 3.5 she couldnt do anything. I found this ridiculous as I know the symptoms by now and my TSH level has gone from 2.95 (which I felt amazing on) to 3.38 in 18 months. I know its not a drastic change but it is in terms of my health. I eventually got her to refer me to a consultant and am hoping he will be a little more receptive. He's based in Blackrock clinic. Just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and can offer any advice.

jennifer (SNN75144)  Posted: 13/09/2008 13:13

are you sure you are on the right medication? i have an underactive thyroid and have not been on medication for about 12-13 yrs. go back to your doctor and get your thyroxine levels checked. maybe you dont need to be on the tablets right now. you are probably better off dealing with your depression first. when we feel bad we eat or when we're p***** off, so obviously you are eating more because of this. sometimes it really does help to talk to a professional about our problems. maybe see a therapist once a week just to talk.

Fra26  Posted: 26/08/2008 14:31

Hi I'm new to this site. I was put on Eltroxin about 2 months ago for an under active thyroid and in the past 2wks I have put on at least 3 pounds in weight and I feel horrible. I have a 13 month old baby, and just recently stopped taking tablets for depression. I am also on the pill. Can anyone offer advice on this? I have been walking, doing press up's and trying to eat healthy to stick to normal weight which is 9st 6lb, but it's just shooting up.