How long before thyroxine levels settle down?

[YesIKnowItWasStupid]

I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid 5 years ago. On 150mcg a day, but really didn't feel as if it was doing anything and I stopped taking them about a year ago (yes, I know it was stupid). Have been fine up until recently, then started feeling rough and I know it's the thyroid so went back to the GP for a new prescription, and have been taking them for about three weeks again. The GP didn't check how long it had been since I had any, and I didn't volunteer the information.

Today I've had a letter from the GP asking me to go for a thyroid function test as I haven't had one for three years. There's no point in having it done until the thyroxine has established itself but if I tell him I'll get a bollocking (and yes, I know I deserve one - I'd still rather not have it!). I can't remember how long it takes before the thyroxine takes an effect - does anyone know?

(And yes, I'm a regular, changed my name because I know I've been an idiot, not a troll, etc etc etc)

I did something similar and came clean with the gp who then started me on a lower dose and did a blood test 4 weeks later and upped the dosage did another test 4 weeks later and dosage has remained at 150mcg/day I then had a blood test every 2 months for 12 months and am now back to an annual test unless I notice any big changes.

I have however had to sit through the lectures on the stress on the heart and the possibility of slipping into a comma if I stop taking my meds and remain untreated for long enough.

I've always been told it's about two weeks, so you should be ok. I had a blood test about three weeks after my dose was last increased and there was a significant difference in the result, so you'll be fine.

Oh bugger, I didn't know that it put strain on the heart - or that it could cause coma. Bugger, I was even more stupid than I thought then.

I had no symptoms at all and was told at one point that sometimes when it comes on after having a baby it just goes away.

Thank you both, looks as if I should be OK to book it now. I shan't be doing that again

You know, I am in a similar situation and am suprised to read that there are others too. I have been on and off thyroxine for many many yeras. I take it when I am pregnant and breastfeeding, but otherwise usually don't take it as I feel no different. I am called "non-compliant". Anyway, I recently went to the GP about carpul tunnel in my hands and was tpld the thyroid issues were probably aggravating it. And for the first time I was told about the other dangers such as strain on the heart. This was the FIRST time anyone had mentioned any dangers that were not pregnancy related. I too am back on it. My GP did baseline blood test before putting me back on and then told me to wait 8 weeks before another test. This suggested to me that it takes 8 weeks to settle down.

To be honest I never feel much different when on it than off it but that is probably because they keep us at the lower end of the noral scale. I was at the higher end for a short while and they reduced my dosage which was a shame cause I actually started to feel a bit more with it and lost a bit of weight. They like to keep us on the lowest dosage possible though because of the cost especially as we don't have to pay prescription charges.

I really can't remember how long it was after I first started taking them that my levels stabilised. Eight weeks - maybe I should hang fire on the blood test for a bit!

I have never had any symptoms - I was only diagnosed during tests to rule out another illness. When my levels were up to what the GP said was normal I started getting some mild symptoms of over-active thyroid, so I always doubted they were right. Plus I hate taking tablets anyway so it didn't take much to persuade myself that I didn't really need them.

I have never been told anything about risks to the heart, or that there could be other serious consequences of not taking the tablets. I suppose I should have researched it better but I'm wary of information gathered over the internet, and the GP has never seemed too fussed about it - when I've gone for longer between prescriptions than I should, it's never been questioned. And they're useless at monitoring it - I think I've only had three blood tests done in five years, so there was never any sense of urgency from the GP.

I already have other factors that put me at risk of heart problems (I'm slightly overweight, plus heart disease runs in the family) so I probably ought to own up to the GP and go and have some baseline readings done now.

The excess weight could be down to the thyroid, I know mine is.

From the lecture I received this information is fairly accurate.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (can't tolerate the cold like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido

Each individual patient will have any number of these symptoms which will vary with the severity of the thyroid hormone deficiency and the length of time the body has been deprived of the proper amount of hormone. Some patients will have one of these symptoms as their main complaint, while another will not have that problem at all and will be suffering from a different symptom. Most will have a combination of a number of these symptoms. Occasionally, some patients with hypothyroidism have no symptoms at all, or they are just so subtle that they go unnoticed. Note: Although this may sound obvious, if you have these symptoms, you need to discuss them with your doctor and probably seek the skills of an endocrinologist. If you have already been diagnosed and treated for hypothyroidism and you continue to have any or all of these symptoms, you need to discuss it with your physician. Although treatment of hypothyroidism can be quite easy in some individuals, others will have a difficult time finding the right type and amount of replacement thyroid hormone.

Potential Dangers of Hypothyroidism

Because the body is expecting a certain amount of thyroid hormone the pituitary will make additional thyroid-stimulating-hormone (TSH) in an attempt to entice the thyroid to produce more hormone. This constant bombardment with high levels of TSH may cause the thyroid gland to become enlarged and form a goiter (termed a "compensatory goiter"). Left untreated, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will usually progress. omplications can result in severe life-threatening depression, heart failure or coma.

It's probably more down to a liking for chocolate

But yes, it probably doesn't help. Although even when I was taking the tablets they didn't help the weight.

I do remember reading somewhere that the reason they keep the doses down to a minimum is that taking too much can increase the risk of osteoporosis - I think it was someone on here who said that. Another reason why I was reluctant to take the tablets, if the truth be told.

I suffer with depression too. Doesn't look as if I'm doing myself any favours not taking the tablets.

I've started getting tired all the time, I'm irritable and have dreadful constipation - the first time I've ever had symptoms. Plus the depression.