Feeling better?

[em91]

Hey, I'm an 18 year old girl just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism as a result of an autoimmune attack which has "killed" my thyroid gland, for want of a better phrase. I'm only on 50mg of thyroxine at the moment and have only just started on it so obviously the medication is having very little effect. I'm lucky enough to have a friend who also has this condition so we are able to support eachother. She's been taking thyroxine for 3 years and is now on 125mg. We were sitting down having a chat about our condition when I first recieved my diagnosis and I asked her how long it took her to start "feeling better". She just started crying, and said she doesn't, that she's still stuck in this crazy half dead "autopilot". I'm not gunna lie, that's left me feeling pretty scared as to what this condition will bring, please please please tell me some of you are feeling normal again??

[redheadaussie]

Hey there. I have had Hashimoto's and my thyroid totally removed. I totally understand where your friend is coming from. The strange thing is with thyroid disease, some people feel great others don't! Every body is different and I mean every BODY not everyone.
     If you don't feel good on the dose you are taking, as to take some more.  I know for me personally I would die if I had that little replacement hormone!  50mcgs is awfully low. If you have literally only started within say 4 weeks, you will not notice any change. It takes at least 6 weeks.
  Smilerdeb had Grave's disease which is the opposite of Hashimoto's HYPER instead of Hypo.
   The levels she mentioned are Free T3, which is the level of hormone that is in your body after it is converted by the body from the Free T4...which is the thyroid medication/normal hormone. The TSH is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, which is made in your pituitary gland deep inside the brain. This is a bit like the key in the ignition of a car. The Free T4 is like the gas/petrol, and the Free T3 is the 'ride'.
    The body can sometimes make anti-bodies and attack the thyroid. Hashimoto's and Graves are similar but how the thyroid responds is different. Hashi's (as it is known here!) makes the thyroid try harder to produce more hormone...eventually the anti-bodies win and the thyroid drops dead.

Let me know how you are doing...you can PM me if you like.
Cheers!

[Smilerdeb]

Yes I do...each time you go for labs...ask for a print out as legally they have to give you that if requested.
Post the labs here then others can help you on your road to wellness.
There are quite a few experienced members here and they will most certainly lead you in the right direction.
Good Luck ;o)

[em91]

Thanks for the quick reply :)
I'm glad you're feeling great!
My doctor, GP, gave me very little to no info, I have no idea what you mean by most of the stuff you said! He just told me that my thyroid gland isn't functioning at all, and it's my own body which caused that. I had a blood test due to having very heavy periods and feeling depressed and exhausted all the time, and apparently this was the cause. Do you think it's worth going back and asking for all my levels?

[Smilerdeb]

I'm feeling great!
Research all you can about Hashi's and Hypothyroidism.
The best Doctor is yourself.
You have to learn to be proactive on your road to recovery.
What was your Ft3, Ft4, and TSH levels and how was Hashi's diagnosed?
Antibody testing?

Also 50mcg is the good dose to start on and get yr levels checked every 4 weeks so as the Doc knows when to increase your T4 med and by how much.
Usually baby steps is the secret and your Doc will most probably put yr next dose up to 75mcg
Good Luck and Welcome! ;o)