Thyroxine for the newly initiated

[MothInMyKecks]

I've been on 25mg of Thyroxine for nearly a fortnight now. Because of my extreme fuzziness, I didn't ask any details of blood test results so I don't know how Hypo I am. I am also extremely anaemic apparently.

I had a few days of feeling 'charged'; and for a little while, I was wee'ing for Britain, but all that's stopped and have now crashed and burned again. My symptoms are worse than ever and I feel I can't continue like this. I have 2 young children, a workaholic husband and by bedtime, I'm literally on my knees. I look, and feel terrible.

I'm getting the typical iron-supplement related SE's (black poo) but not feeling any of the benefits either. I leave at least 12 hours between the thyroxine and Ferrous S as I read (wasn't told by either GP nor Pharmacist) that FS can negate the effects of Thyroxine.

Am I doing everything right? Do I need to wait another 6 weeks before my next round of bloods before seeing the GP. I feel worse than ever. I can feel myself getting worse too. My weight is rocketing, fluid retention is increasing too. I can't continue like this.

Katie - yes, I get that too. It was the first real sign I had that there was a problem, I used to get the shakes really badly, and have to have sugar to make it stop. When I eventually went to the gp, I was convinced I was diabetic because of this. I would definitely advise you to take a list of your symptoms to the dr's, especially if your memory (like mine) is affected.

I have heard that mid-afternoon is the low point for thyroxine in the blood, and makes it the best time for blood tests.

Hope all goes well for you

Bear, that's an interesting point re thyroxine in the bloods. Whenever I've needed bloods taken in the past, I've made huge efforts to get to the clinic really really early (first come first serve) because the crowds are so big.

I'll go mid afternoon now

Moth - my GP mentioned it to me, and I believe I've read it on a couple of support forums also.

How's things going??

Hi all

Just wanted to say thanks for all of the information in this thread. I've been told by my doc that i "probably" have an underactive thyroid. He spotted a swelling in my neck that I've had for months which he combined with my other symptoms (I had ME years ago so ignored a lot of the thinking it was that). I'm expecting my results on Tuesday and I'm really nervous about it. I'm nervous about it NOT being thyroid related as much as I'm scared of it being that. i would love to just have a reason for feeling this way and I think others would understand more if I could put a name to it, I feel so lazy and hopeless.

Not wanting to hijack, I just wanted to say that its good to see that life can go back to normal if you get the meds right, like the OP I'm reluctant to look stuff up on the net

Hey Golden, not a hijack at all and glad to hear that you're getting help from your gp. You're not lazy and hopeless, it's the illness, honest!

Definitely understand the nervousness; if you need some virtual handholding nearer the time, there's always someone about here .

Golden, not a hijack at all. We can learn lots from one another I feel. I've already learnt loads. I know exactly what you mean re test results - I felt exactly the same. Hang on in there.

Update: I'm feeling ok, marginally brighter I have to say. This'll be the third day that I've combined my ferrous fumerate with a mammoth daily dose of effervescent Vit C and I think my body is starting to absorb the iron. Sorry about the complete TMI but my poo is proper black now and am getting a little bunged. Am not complaining of course (yet!) because I see this as a positive that my iron is getting absorbed into my blood. So, all in all, good things. Perhaps my symptoms point more towards anaemia?

Still fuzzy though, albeit a tad more energy. This is a daft observation but I've noticed that it's taking me a few seconds to process the symbols of male and female toilets . I've walked into the wrong ones about 4 times in the last few months, but it occurred to me today I cannot automatically decipher the symbols like I used to. Odd.

Another day tomorrow. Another day another dose.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you Moth - at the TMI, definitely shows that the iron is getting to where it should be. I read a study about hypothyroidism and it said that up to half of all sufferers had some form of anaemia, mainly iron-deficient, but some with copper deficiency too.

IMO it's being caused by your thyroid probs, but giving you a double whammy of symptoms. Hopefully by treating both problems you will start to recover faster

Oh - forgot to say, I know what you mean about the symbols. I've had times where I've had that, but it's when I've been faffing about on the internet, or reading a book, and can't understand what the words say

Bear, am glad you've said that - was starting to think I was losing my marbles . My Mum has been away for the last 3 weeks or so, so has missed the 'action' in my health saga. We had a good chat yesterday, and she said that both her and my Dad had noticed my poor memory for a few months.

Can I ask about any other symptoms that you have? I have that cough that Katie has reported, but also an array of other symptoms that are worsening. They all seem allergy related as sometimes the sneezing is unstoppable and the itch in my throat is unbearable. Anti Histamines don't help and I was wondering if this was related in any way?

How are you feeling at the moment?

Not feeling too bad today, just very stressed but coffee is nectar

I don't have the cough or the sneezing, but have heard it reported by others though. I'm weary most of the time, everything seems to take a lot of effort, and as the week goes on, the more fatigued I become. I've found that my eyebrows and lashes are very sparse, and seem to lose more (TMI) just before my period. The worst problem however, is the pins & needles in my hands. It's a known side effect but sometimes feels like you've dipped your hands into boiling water.

I have decided to be a little more proactive about things; and have started taking multivitamins to hopefully support my system.

As for losing marbles, I actually forgot how to spell my dd's name the other day

Are you feeling any better?

Thought I'd better come back and apologise for pissing all over the thread before . You're lovely people - thank you.

Feeling a bit better now - but had 1.5 days off work with a migraine, so think the extra rest helped.

Re sneezing - I just thought it was protracted hayfever from everything blossoming/seeding at the wrong time this year, but OK, maybe I get that too? Am on beconase now, which is supposed to reduce sensitivity over time - tablets were OK but somehow it seems wrong to take them more than 3 months a year?

Should be taking iron as ferritin is low, but keep forgetting

How are you doing?

PerAr6ua - you didn't do that at all! I'm glad you're feeling better, any down time is always a bonus!

Maybe keeping your iron tablets next to your toothbrush would help? (it's the only way I remember)

Glad that you came back to let us know you're doing better, gives us all hope

Hi can I join in. I've been on 25 mcgs of thyroxine since sept, which has made a bit of a difference but not as much as I hoped it would. I go back for blood tests next month.

So is the afternoon the best time for blood tests? I thought I read somewhere that the reading was highest in the morning

Re blood tests - my understanding(from MN!) is that TSH is higher in the morning - the standard used to indicate how much thyroxin your body is calling for - ie higher TSH = lower thyroxin.

I don't know about measuring Thyroxin itself - T4 or T3 - but I guess you're after the lowest measure there, which if I understand it correctly is naturally lower in the afternoon - a lot of people talk about a 3pm slump, which I certainly have but figure it could also be a blood sugar thing being 2-3 hours after lunch. HTH.

That sort of read a bit wrong - you don't want a low T4 or a high TSH, but if you're symptomatic you want the numbers to support how awful you're feeling - iyswim?

As far as I understand, you have the morning surge, and the afternoon slump. My dr has advised me to get my tests done in the afternoon, as it gives a clearer idea of how low my levels are, rather than a level taken in the morning after a nights rest IYSWIM.

Nice to see you madness. Suprised your dr has started you on 25mcg; I believe the standard is to start on 50mcg and go from there. Good that you're getting another test done

Helllo - sorry havent posted last few days - been too tired

I am going later in week to ask to retest earler than planned as am so tired and really do have all the symptoms. I am interested to see the comments about timing of the test as at the surgery they only do bloods in the morning between 9-1030 most days - so i am a bit stuckk with that.

MY main reason for sending message now - as i don't have a firm diagnosis - is to ask whether you all have felt a bigger slump today? I know the clocks going back gives us another hour in bed technically but i normally find that by10 tonight (when clocks have gone back ) that I start to feel tired because it is really 11pm - that is what has happend in the past. However today I have felt rather tired since getting up - although have been for a decent walk for an hour and a half - but the last 2 hours have felt so drained, In fact about an hour ago i sent my partner to go and get me a banana from the kitchen as I just felt so strange that I needed to eat (had eaten tuna sandwich at 1 - so not missed lunch). I think I could go to bed now I am so tired and it has taken me ages to write this thread - apologies for typos - but i keep hitting wrong buttons. Has the clock going back affected others with thyroid probs like this - or is is just me (remember _ i am not officially diagnosed

Thanks -from a very tired Katue

I am very tired today, but it's probably caused by working yesterday until 01.50 this morning and having my period start. I've managed to get up, but ache all over and have done nowt but MN.

I find though that if I don't eat regularly I do have problems and feel unwell.

Hope you get an answer soon Katie (((hugs)))

How's everyone today??

Not great. Sorry for lack of communication, especially since I'm really liking everyone on this thread. Thanks for everyone's input.

Am wrecked. Skin has started splitting on my hands, their so dry. Painful. I've ballooned 5 lbs since Friday gone. I'm not a big eater, far from it. Went shopping, forgot most stuff. Fed up.

they're even

Oh Moths (sod MN, have a {{hug}}, some and a

What cream do you have for your hands, and are you wearing gloves every time you need to do stuff? (ie household type stuff)

Evening all . I'm pretty shattered today - overdid things on Sunday and still haven't caught up on rest - unfortunately joint pain stopped me sleeping properly last night, so today I are be mostly drinking sugared coffee (I don't even like sugar in coffee)...).

But had 3 pieces of good news at work this morning, all of which should shortly lead to a reduction in paperwork, so am buoyed up enough to drink medicinal quantities of gin and do some more work this evening. Hey, why waste a caffeine buzz?

Re the dry skin Moths - do you take any Omega supplements? I've been taking milled flax-seed in bio yoghurt for breakfast, and my skin's a lot smoother - the yoghurt's supposed to help your immune system as well, which is good as the hypo thing makes you more predisposed to colds etc. My emergency treatment for split fingers (usually this time of year when the heating goes on but it's not quite glove weather outside) is avocado oil as an overnight handcream - worth a try?

PerAr6ua - it's an odd thing to be recommending, but have you tried the Blue Rockstar energy drink? I can't drink too much coffee, (esp at work) but this stuff does the trick.

Glad to hear you've had good news at work...less work in those circs is always a good thing

Thanks Bearskin - can't do energy drinks though - the smell's too intense. I regularly annoy our graduate trainee when he has a hangover by making him sit on the far side of the office