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Original poster

Anyone with underactive thyroid?

103 replies

babysteffee · 04/08/2005 19:19

Been on thyroxine for underactive thyroid for just over a year and medication is getting me so stressed... levels up and down until they stayed on 200mcg. Memory is terrible and I forget to take the tablets, and to go back to the docs for more. Tablets make my heart beat really loudly which worries me, and make it extremely difficult to get more than an hour or twos sleep a night, literally lying awake for about 5 hours. When I don't take the tablets I feel tired/withdrawn/unable to concentrate on anything and stress makes everything ten times worse, so always trying not to get stressed... weight is increasing or staying the same whatever. I've talked to my doctor and had my tablets reduced 6 mth ago but he says there's nothing more he can do.

Seriously considering trying something like Alvidar or Thyax, has anyone tried these?

OP posts:
IvortheEngine · 04/08/2005 19:29

Yes, I have! I've been on thyroxine for (gosh, just worked it out!) 4 years now. It seems like yesterday that I was diagnosed. I take my thyroxine first thing every morning. I put cereal in a bowl, water in the glass and get my tablet container and the three go together. I only sometimes forget until after breakfast when I'm on holiday and not making my own breakfast. If you are on the right dose and the blood tests come back saying that the blood count looks right, perhaps something else could be causing the symptoms you're experiencing or maybe the thyroxine doesn't work for you. It's a good idea to start this thread and find out more, first hand from people. I hope you get sorted out soon. Good luck!

Original poster
babysteffee · 04/08/2005 20:04

Thanks for your reply IvortheEngine, I wish I could be as organised as you, lol, I think it would make a huge difference.

OP posts:
suedonim · 04/08/2005 20:44

I've been on thyroxine for over 20yrs and like IvorTE I have a morning routine so I remember to take them. I know it's a bit naughty but I don't keep mine locked away, they are on a high-ish shelf in the cupboard where I see them as I get my breakfast. The only time I forget is holidays, again like IvortE, because my routine is disrupted.

Original poster
babysteffee · 04/08/2005 22:23

I don't eat breakfast lol, so that wouldn't work... I keep them in my medicine cabinet atm so when I brush my teeth I see them cause they're in front of the mouthwash. That doesn't work tho lol, I probably touch the box every morning but still forget to take them!! I'm hopeless...

OP posts:
tiffini · 04/08/2005 22:27

Some of the sympoms you have wouls suggest your dosage is still high, how long is it since you have had a blood test.

tiffini · 04/08/2005 22:29

It says on the leaflet, if you have any of thr effects, you should consult your GP immediately.

Original poster
babysteffee · 04/08/2005 22:31

I've told my doctor about the side effects - I got them when I first started on thyroxine on the 50mcg dose, and they've stayed the same no matter what dose. My doctor says they are side effects and they're ok!!

OP posts:
Original poster
babysteffee · 04/08/2005 22:32

Sorry, I had the last blood test in April or May.

OP posts:
colditz · 04/08/2005 22:34

Oh goodness, I am having a blood test for this on monday, what are the symptoms of an under active thyroid?

tiffini · 04/08/2005 22:39

symptoms

tiffini · 04/08/2005 22:44

the natural alternative

I dont use this by the way, was just searching.

colditz · 04/08/2005 22:45

Thankyou, I have quite a lot of those symptoms, except I don't get cold easily.

dropinthe · 04/08/2005 22:54

Mine are mood swings-weight-low libido and awful periods that come on time every two weeks!

tiffini · 04/08/2005 22:55

here are some more

there are so many symptoms it is quite amazing when you research it.

Original poster
babysteffee · 05/08/2005 00:09

I'm seriously considering trying thyax from the link you just gave tiffini. There's no side effects apparently so I figure the worst that can happen is that they do nothing!!

I agree the symptoms are pretty bad!!

OP posts:
fickle · 05/08/2005 10:43

Hi!!! Went to docs today as my neck has been swollen and I have been feeling tired a lot (had a thread on here the other day panicking!!)

Am going for blood test today as she suspects a thyroid problem, though tbh she sounded pretty vague.

I don't get cold easily or have any of the hair/skin symptoms mentioned but I guess you only need a few symptoms...??...

tiffini · 05/08/2005 10:49

Yes you do only need a few symptoms, I only have a few, but I make sure i am aware of all the other symptoms as they could develop anytime, suggesting my doze needs increasing.

Good luck with your blood test results

IvortheEngine · 05/08/2005 10:57

babysteffee - You're welcome. Can I suggest that you put your toothpaste in the box. Then when you go "Where's my toothpaste?" you remember that you've put it in the box so that you remember to take your tablets! Do the tablets, then do your teeth, then put the toothpaste back in the box! Sounds mad but that's the way I'd do it.

fickle - IME, you can have some of the symptoms of over but be under and vice versa. I think that the doctor said "You don't look unwell, but I'll do the test if you want it" and lo and behold, I was way under! It isn't a textbook type illness and I think that makes it harder to suspect it and do a blood test for it. I hope you get the results soon and if it comes back clear, do ask what might be causing these symptoms. Don't just feel that you're making a fuss and walk away thinking it's your imagination or anything. Trust your instinct. Good luck!

fickle · 05/08/2005 11:31

Thanks! I'm a bit gutted because she said the tests take 5 - 7 days for results and I go on holiday next Sat. Just my luck! (Also tried to resist googling thyroid problems but gave into it and now wish I hadn't.)

suzywong · 05/08/2005 11:37

yes me!
I keep mine in the fridge, I heard they were more stable in there, in one of those old granny boxes with the days of hte week written on the top
I have to take 175mcg which is 200 one day and 150 the next. I should get my bloods done to see if this is the right level as I've only been on it 14 months but i'm terrified of having to go on a lower dose - I finally feel human again.

Agree about the symptoms varying - my weight is not a problem and I don't get cold easily, maybe one reason why I went undiagnosed for so long.

Colditz, once you get your thyroxine your quality of life improves tremedously

suzywong · 05/08/2005 11:39

yes good luck to all those awaiting blood test results

it makes me weep that I was undiagnosed for so long and had to feel like a living corpse when both my kids were babies.

Agree about trusting your instincts, if you feel lousy then push for a blood test

IvortheEngine · 05/08/2005 18:36

One of my big symptoms is that we went on holiday a month before I asked for a blood test (this was the second one, the one 10 months earlier came back clear) and I'd go to bed at the same time as the kids at 7.30pm and I was asleep before them! Also, we'd be in the car (on the same holiday) and the kids would ask "Where are we going?" and I'd realise that I didn't know (or care so long as I didn't have to do anything!) and I had to let dh answer. I can truly identify with the living corpse description that sw gave!

dropinthe · 05/08/2005 18:50

I think my loss of sex drive has been down to this and I am very pissed off that I had to endure crap counselling that didn't work instead of of a simple blood test.It coincided with a death in my family which caused me get depressed and so the Dr put it down to that as was about the same time.
My marriage has nearly been on the rocks because of this unexplainable loss-we used to be at it like rabbits-Like Cinzano's,you know?!
Bastard illness!!

dottee · 05/08/2005 19:19

I had an underactive thyroid last year and now it's over active. The GPs monitoring it every two months and I'm seeing the consultant every four months. My worst sympton is this. It's driving me mad.

I certainly don't feel as good as I did a few years ago. In fact, when I went saw the doc last year, I thought I'd become clinically depressed and actually described my symptons as feeling 'sh*te'. Blood tests revealed the thyroid problems but when I finally got to see the consultant, the thyroid had gone back to normal. It's now swung the other way but they're waiting for the next consultation and if there's no change, they'll prescribe medication then. Until that day, I'll continue being moody, snappy, hot, tired, dry mouthed etc. etc. Fun being a woman, eh?

spacecadet · 05/08/2005 19:36

i was diagnosed with underactive thyroid, 4 years ago after having ds2, however he was 18 months old before they wouls start me on thyroxine as the gp said sometimes if it happens after birth it goes back to normal after a year, it didnt so im on thyroxine, had to be monitored really closely in when preg with dd2 last year and dosage gradually crept up, after she was born, i went overactive for a month!!! until they reduced my dosage.i keep mine on ahigh shelf in the kitchen near the cereals so i remeber to take it, am currently on 150mcg a day. am preg again so am having monthly blood tests to check my thyroid.
when i first went on thyroxine i found it did make my heart race, i take levothyroxine, but i believe there is an alternative which is more natural but gps are reluctant to prescribe as its expensive.