Just diagnosed with Hypothyroidism - what do I need to know?

[RealHousewifeOfPontypandy]

Hi, after several years of being border line following blood tests, my levels have finally dropped enough to be put on medication for hypothyroidism. I've been prescribed 50mg of levo to start with. A quick google tells me there is lots I need to read up on, and am excited at the prospect of more energy and losing some weight, but I have some questions for anyone more knowledgeable or experienced in this....

• when is the best time to take the levo? I also take the contractive pill but I can take that at any time but would like to keep them separate seeing as they both contain hormones

• what are the best online resources in terms what I need to look at in terms of diet etc?

• are there any side effects that are common and anything i need to look out for going forwards?

Its all a bit a of a shock as I was expecting the results to come back and say 'no further action, repeat in a year' as they normally do but actually looking back over the last 12 months, I can certainly tick more of the symptoms than in previous years, but put it down to lockdown and three kids etc

Thanks for reading!

Hi,
I have Hashimoto's, which is the main cause of underactive thyroid. Have you had your antibodies checked/been diagnosed with Hashi's?

I take my thyroxine first thing in the morning with water and leave it an hour before eating or drinking anything else. Low vitamins are common with it too, so I take Vit D and B vitamins (both 2 hours after levo) and also take iron for low ferritin, but this must be taken 4 hours away from levo.

Health Unlocked website have a really good thyroid forum with lots of knowledgeable posters, so I have had a lot of useful information from there. I've also gone gluten free, as it is common to be intolerant to gluten if you have Hashimoto's.

Hope that helps a bit :)

thanks @GentlyGentlyOhDear, that is helpful. Do you just get your Vit D from the chemist or did you have blood tests first?

The above poster has given you so amazing advice, and all of it is important. You can ask your GP for bloods to test vit D, b12, ferritin etc. You can also use private lab resources like Medichecks, which is what many thyroid forum members do to adequately monitor their condition.
I’m about 3 years into my journey and it was a shock when I was diagnosed. I honestly thought I was dying of cancer I felt so unwell, and blood tests showed I was very, very hypothyroid, which I suppose in some ways is a relief!
Without bursting any bubbles, 3 years in and I have not managed to lose any weight despite maintaining a diet the same as I’d had for years in the build up. In fact, I keep gaining (albeit slowly). This is the lament of many hypothyroids despite being medicated. I also still get bad days, where I am horrendously tired. So despite medication and the GP view that everything’s fine if your bloods say they are, be very gentle with yourself. You will undoubtedly feel a lot better tho, but it will take 8-12 weeks, perhaps more, to get your dosage right and your body on board. Best of luck x

Dont get over excited about the weight loss, and energy levels , it didnt happen with me , although I am better when I'm on vitamins as well . Also when I started on medication I had palpitations and felt agitated at first .