I was born w/o a thyroid.

[LibraGurl85]

I'm 20 years old and my diagnosis is Congenital Hypothyroidism.  I've been on Synthroid since I was 2 weeks old; and I'll be on it for the rest of my life.  I was just curious as to what would happen if I just decided one day to stop taking it.  I know that if I had gone any longer w/o it when I was an infant, or even was never on it...I'd be either dead or seriously mentally retarded.

Thanks.

[LibraGurl85]

Wow...well...that's kinda scary.  Thanks though for the answer!  I've been wondering that for a long time.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

If you stop taking it, the medication will be completely out of your system within 5 weeks.  Being 20 years old (provided you have no other health issues) you will likely feel very lethargic the first 2 months then by 3-4 months (or less) your heart rate will slow - eventually you will go into a coma and die -- the exact timing varies but likely within 6 months or so.  Don't stop the med!