If you have an under active thyroid...

[kaytee87]

... how soon after starting medication did you start to feel better / improve, if your symptoms were; weight gain, irregular periods, low libido, tiredness, brain fog/ dizziness?

Sorry I know it's not Aibu but the other topics are so slow (appreciate I'm adding to the problem here 🙈)

Depends on how bad you were. Generally 6 weeks, but how how the dose is, and your blood work will be relevant in answering

Most of those symptoms took 6/8 weeks to recover from, but 6 months later we are still playing with medication levels because my weight is not under control even with calorie restriction and jogging 3 X per week.

About six weeks but it's not that simple.
Do your research on what else you can do to help yourself: vit D, B12, magnesium, selenium, quit gluten, sleep up to 12 hours a day while your body is in recovery if you can. Gradually start getting more exercise and fresh air.
Don't take meds with food or coffee.
Don't accept your TSH level I'd say above 1 as "normal".
You have to become your own advocate and that's hard when you're so tired, I know.

I was diagnosed six months ago and we are still adjusting medication dose. They started me on the lowest dose and will only increase it after a blood test every three months. I feel no different yet.

I had more energy after 3 weeks. I didn't experience weight gain, but had thinning hair (it's better now after several years of treatment). The brain fog finally lifted after a couple of years - like PP's, I have blood tests (every 6 months) and my dosage has been increased twice. I'm now on 150mcg, which I think is fairly high, but it's working for me.

I always take mine on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and I think that helps. I do have coffee/tea soon afterwards, though...which I'm probably not supposed to.

Everything livid said

I felt better after 3 or 4 weeks on medication but I didn’t feel “right” until I’d given upnall gluten and started taking supplements
I’m the most anti-woo person I know but I truly believe the gluten free plus vitamin regime has fixed me...

This is all very helpful. Thank you.

I thought the medication helped reasonably quickly (within a month) but I'm sure the relief of finally having an explanation as to why I felt so rotten was also a factor.

I have just had blood tests today to see if I have an under active thyroid. I don't know if I want the result to say yes I have so I have a reason for the way I feel but then be on meditation forever or no I don't & I just need to pull myself together?

I’ve been near the top end of normal range for about a year, with occasional lower levels - can’t convince the GP to help so I’m stuck with the symptoms you describe for now. I hope you get some relief.

I started feeling an improvement very quickly, but I was very depleted so that might be why. Took longer to level things out, but had an improvement within a week or two.