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View Full Version : What do you think? Re: Thyroid Meds



MSWR0319
04-11-2011, 09:40 AM
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about a year ago by my PCP. I don't think she was treating me properly, as I was still at around a 4 for my TSh, but I did feel better. So my doctor left and I went to a new endo and he took me off my meds, said there was nothing wrong with me. Ran a test at 4 weeks off meds and my TSH was 4.85. This was in Oct. I feel awful now! I hardly have the energy to do anything and I'm grouchy all the time. I could go on and on with symptoms. Anyway, we have an upcoming Disney trip and I am thinking about going back on the meds I have left over just to give me a little energy. I'm waiting on a referral to a new Endo who I know will treat me (he likes to treat to around a 2-3 range yay!) but I know I won't get in before we leave. Would you take the meds? I don't think it would hurt, as I know it's the lowest dose possible (.5?) Just wanted to see what others thought.

Aishe
04-12-2011, 01:58 AM
I'm surprised nobody's responded to this. I personally would be miserable if my TSH was 4.85 so I probably would resume taking the synthroid, especially if it's only 50 mcg. I can't see much harm since you already know you tolerate it well. If you're still taking it when you see the new endo, you of course would want to tell him that.

Sounds like you've already found a good endo, but I'll just add that it's important to find an endo who specializes in thyroid issues. As you have found, they're not all created equal.

ETA: I'm not qualified in any way to give medical advice. This is just my hypothyroid patient's perspective!

Smillow
04-12-2011, 09:01 AM
I would absolutely take the meds - I have tested as high as 5+ and I did feel so lethargic. It makes such a difference in how I feel (esp in the morning). Do you also take a multivitamin? I had thyroid issues for years but they were complicated with being very anemic and I didn't get a reasonable amount of energy back until I resolved both.

sansdieu
04-12-2011, 10:53 AM
I was told by my OB-GYN that there are more restrictions on prescribing thyroid meds these days. My TSH is a hair under 4, but I'm clearly very symptomatic, and I have not found anyone who'd treat me ;((

ThreeofUs
04-12-2011, 11:16 AM
Hmmm, the new standard is 1-2, I thought. Being up near 5 is not so great. I'd start taking the synthroid.

Mermanaid
04-12-2011, 12:52 PM
I'm so sorry you are having trouble with this. My TSH is 2.9 and I feel terrible so the internist just raised my dosage. I know exactly how you feel when you are at such a high level. At one point my TSH was over 15 ... just crazy.

As for taking the meds, I don't think it will hurt you to take them. But, I would not expect overnight results. It usually takes 6-8 weeks to build up the meds and really feel them working.

As for your dr, I hope you can find one that will LISTEN to you. While the normal range is .5 - 5 and most endos say they want to treat to between 1 - 2 ... YOUR body may feel best at .5. It's tough to find someone who will listen (and believe me, I feel like I hit the jackpot on my new dr!). Keep fighting for it though as you are your own best advocate.

sansdieu
04-12-2011, 02:13 PM
Hmmm, the new standard is 1-2, I thought. Being up near 5 is not so great. I'd start taking the synthroid.

It is, except NOBODY uses it. I tried bringing printouts from AACE website, asking - all to hear that my TSH of 3.9 is normal. (And this is at a prominent hospital,affiliated with Harvard Med School.)

How DO you find an endocrinologist who would treat you?

ErinMC
04-12-2011, 02:28 PM
If you're having trouble getting in to see an endo, you might want to call your PCP and she if he/she will test your levels. I have been hypothyroid for 10 years now, and at this point I just have my PCP monitoring me. Even during/after my pregnancies when my TSH fluctuated, she was really good about regular blood tests and keeping my levels down to around 2. I would feel horrible if I was at a 4 or 5!

Good luck!

Indianamom2
04-12-2011, 02:31 PM
It is, except NOBODY uses it. I tried bringing printouts from AACE website, asking - all to hear that my TSH of 3.9 is normal. (And this is at a prominent hospital,affiliated with Harvard Med School.)

How DO you find an endocrinologist who would treat you?

YES TO THIS!

I haven't tried to find an endocrinologist yet, but my levels around November were 3.87 or something like that and even though I have almost every single symptoms of hypothyroid, I can't get my family doctor to treat me....I'm waiting for new tests results, but I'm not holding my breath for treatment.

WolfpackMom
04-12-2011, 02:37 PM
YES TO THIS!

I haven't tried to find an endocrinologist yet, but my levels around November were 3.87 or something like that and even though I have almost every single symptoms of hypothyroid, I can't get my family doctor to treat me....I'm waiting for new tests results, but I'm not holding my breath for treatment.

:yeahthat: Just spoke to my Dr's office today in fact. My levels are slightly lower than last test but are at 3.62 with a free t4 of 1.2. Most go by the old standards, I read online that part of the reasoning is if they didn't than more than 20% of the population would be considered hypothyroid going by the .3-3 new range rather than the old .5-5.

My OBs office consider free T4 of .8-1.8 to be normal and Tsh of .4-4.5 to be normal, with an ideal number of 1-1.5. Im getting ready to call back and see if they will treat my Tsh since Im not in the ideal category even though "normal." Im not sure what they will say because my Vit D levels were deficient and will be treated so we may see what difference that treatment makes. Luckily my the NP I see is pretty receptive so Im hoping for the best...

Good luck OP, I would call the Dr if you're feeling crappy and see what they say.

Smillow
04-12-2011, 02:59 PM
It can be a real trial to find someone who will treat/listen to you! Look for a younger Dr. who may be more interested in keeping up to date. I found my Endo from a "Welcome to the Local Hospital - Now Accepting New Patients" ad in our local paper.

flowerpower
04-13-2011, 07:33 AM
I've had hypothyroidism since I was around 5 years old. After going to numerous doctors, my mom read an article about it and insisted on me being tested for it... So, when I was 9, I finally started taking medication.

Doctors suck... Plain and simple. One thing they can't stand is if you walk in knowing more than they do. I've complained to my doctor numerous times how badly I felt, get the test back, and she claims it's within normal range and doesn't want to mess with it.

The medicine won't hurt you, especially if you've been taking it. But, it does take several weeks for it to get into your system.

tiapam
04-14-2011, 06:47 PM
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about a year ago by my PCP. I don't think she was treating me properly, as I was still at around a 4 for my TSh, but I did feel better. So my doctor left and I went to a new endo and he took me off my meds, said there was nothing wrong with me. Ran a test at 4 weeks off meds and my TSH was 4.85. This was in Oct. I feel awful now! I hardly have the energy to do anything and I'm grouchy all the time. I could go on and on with symptoms. Anyway, we have an upcoming Disney trip and I am thinking about going back on the meds I have left over just to give me a little energy. I'm waiting on a referral to a new Endo who I know will treat me (he likes to treat to around a 2-3 range yay!) but I know I won't get in before we leave. Would you take the meds? I don't think it would hurt, as I know it's the lowest dose possible (.5?) Just wanted to see what others thought.

IIWY I would def take the drugs but you may not feel anything in time for your trip. I am so sad for you that you have not rec'd good health care. If you were being treated you would be feeling better and have more energy for your trip. It makes me mad. There are too many stories like this on the Internet. Does anyone else feel like their doctors must never get on the computer and just research stuff the way we do? Oh yeah I forgot they already know everything...

FYI, you can order your own tests if this place has a lab near you:

https://www.mymedlab.com/

Although, ideally you would be seen before you go, maybe call and beg for an appt?

niccig
04-16-2011, 03:07 AM
It is, except NOBODY uses it. I tried bringing printouts from AACE website, asking - all to hear that my TSH of 3.9 is normal. (And this is at a prominent hospital,affiliated with Harvard Med School.)

How DO you find an endocrinologist who would treat you?

Go to another endocrinologist. I was seeing one affiliate with very prominent hospital here in LA, and I had same issue. I went for 2nd opinion at the university teaching hospital and they treat for between 1-2 range.

lablover
04-16-2011, 10:36 AM
For those looking for doctors, this might help:

http://thyroid.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=thyroid&cdn=health&tm=11&gps=232_331_1107_573&f=20&tt=14&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.thyroid-info.com/topdocs.htm

Aishe
04-16-2011, 07:42 PM
This might also help:

http://www.thyroid.org/patients/specialists.php

bisous
04-17-2011, 03:58 PM
Can someone clarify the treatment range for thyroid? Over the past two years or so, I exhibited so many signs of low thyroid (more tired, dry hair and skin, gaining weight) but when I was tested I was "fine". My thyroid was 1.35 or so and the range according to my lab results is .35 to 4. I don't feel terrible to clarify but I do feel different than I used to feel. Thyroid issues run strongly in my family!

TIA!

tiapam
04-18-2011, 09:06 PM
Can someone clarify the treatment range for thyroid? Over the past two years or so, I exhibited so many signs of low thyroid (more tired, dry hair and skin, gaining weight) but when I was tested I was "fine". My thyroid was 1.35 or so and the range according to my lab results is .35 to 4. I don't feel terrible to clarify but I do feel different than I used to feel. Thyroid issues run strongly in my family!

TIA!

1. Family history, IMO, is huge. Like when not if.

2. How long ago was your last test? Symptoms often precede any flags on tests. Easily by months as that was my experience. But you could still have symptoms and normal test results and benefit from treatment. The section here on testing, etc. is pretty helpful:

http://thyroid.about.com/od/thyroidbasicsthyroid101/u/symptomsdiagnosis.htm#s9

GL. I would not back down if you don't feel like yourself.

sansdieu
04-19-2011, 01:40 PM
Go to another endocrinologist. I was seeing one affiliate with very prominent hospital here in LA, and I had same issue. I went for 2nd opinion at the university teaching hospital and they treat for between 1-2 range.

Can you just call and ask whether they treat in that range? I have neither the time nor $$$ to go to 50 different ones, looking for "Dr. Right".

MSWR0319
05-10-2011, 07:05 PM
Just thought I'd update. I ended up not taking the meds because I counted my pills and only had enough for a month so I didn't think I'd get much relief in that short of time. No appt yet with the endo I want. I need a referral and my PCP who was treating me left so I don't have a new one yet. I had a sinus infection a few weeks ago and the doctor ran a TSH oly for me and it came back 1.9 which was good and most of my symptoms had eased up at the time. Now they're all back and I'm hoping to get a referral from my OB/GYN. Next week just to get a second opinion. Something if going on if it's fluctuating from 4.8 to 1.9 in a few months. I'm betting it will be back on the 4 range if she tests me next week. Getting treatment is so frustrating!! But my sister just got diagnosed with hasimotos and mom has it too. Hopefully I can just get a referral! Good luck to everyone else battling this!

tiapam
05-11-2011, 12:34 AM
I hope you can get some help with this. I knew about this site before but have been looking at it more thoroughly lately:

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

I think it is very helpful. It includes info on OTC supplements.