underactive thyroid : How long until I feel normal again?

[DaftApeth]

I've had lots of tests at GP recently and one of the results is that I have an underactive thyroid.

I have been feeling very tired, clumsy and lacking in motivation - my brain seems to have been on strike for a very long time

GP has put me on to 100mg levothyroxine tablets. How soon until I start to feel the effects (assuming I don't have to tweek the dose, of course)?

Did anyone else have high cholesterol too and has this reduced once on the tablets?

Has anyone lost weight since being on their medication? [hopeful emoticon]

I was diagnosed about 5 weeks ago DA - I started feeling a lot less tired after 2and a half - 3 weeks (Don't think they've got my dose quite right yet).

My skin is still quite dry and hair. Also still quite croaky.

Concentration much better - I can actually read a book now! And I'm sleeping a bit better.

Now the bad news - no weight loss yet, even though I'm trying very hard (sensible eating and loads of exercise) - but hopefully you will have a bit more luck - I'm quite old which may make a difference. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Thanks, Kurri.

I'm not exactly young either!

I'm hoping that as, I think, I have been suffering for years, I will wake up one morning with miraculous results

Bumpity bump, in case three is anyone else out there?

It can't be that rare!

on thyroxine only - never, changed to natural thyroid medication and can at times feel half decent but my thypothyroidism is caused by having most of my thyroid removed. never believe anything from british thyroid association.

i developed post partum thyroiditis - i was over active briefly and then became under active.

the consultant told me that it might take up to 6 montsh to feel totally normal again. i dont think it was that long but i did get pg again 6 montsh after diagnosis, so its hard to tell. However that does "prove" that my levels were normal IYWSIM

of course they had to put my thyroxine when i was pg

re the weight loss - that also took a long time, but of course it my case it was complicated by the pg and bf. i only really lost it by healthy eating and exercise, it didnt just come off on its own. i still cant get off that last half stone, but i think this is common to many women my age and not necessaily related to the thyroid disease

sorry i'm sure this is not what you wanted to hear

remember your GP needs to check your blood levels regularly until they are sure you are stable

I had it previously after giving birth but blood tests then came back within normal limits after 6 months.

Over the many intervening years, it's obviously become underactive again.

Well, you have really dashed my hopes of becoming size 8 a miracle cure whilst sitting on the sofa all day

If I manage to get some oomph back in my life, I will be pleased. I just want it to happen NOW!!

I have this morning taken delivery of a very boring healthy, low fat food delivery. So changes are being made. We'll see what happens...

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 11 years age. I had a feeling for a long time that something was serious wrong and it was a relief to be finally diagnosed. I had a cholesterol level of ... wait for it 11.5!!!. That came down very quickly, within about 4 months if I remenber correctly. My heart rate also slowly increased too. My Dr thought I had heart failure proir to daignoses. Visual distrubances,severe headaches, puffy face, hands and feet, and croaky voice went after about 6 weeks and my energy levels increased. I also now have regular periods which I never had before. It took about 6 months to get the correct doseage of thyroixin (then got pg).

Unfortunately somethings have not been so good. I put on weight very easily and occassionally get very tired. My skin is still very dry. But I can live with these things, as life is so much better since diagnoses and the really awful things have gone.

You will feel much much better soon and will only realise then how bad you have felt.

Good luck.

Interesting that your periods were affected too. Mine keep going awol and I thought it was the start of the menopause. Hormones are all normal on blood tests though, so it is not that.

Did you make dietary changes too to reduce your cholesterol or go onto medication for it?

Cholestoral level went down as thyroid hormonal levels increased. I made no changes to my diet, although I didn't feel like eating much at this time.

That's good to hear about you not having to change your diet and still getting a reduction in your cholesterol. Hopefully, I can reduce mine too [fingers crossed emoticon]

Why do you think you did not feel like eating much? Funnily enough, I've felt very full for the last few days and not sure why