Thyroid not working at all

[Lisi251]

My husband has been on meds a few years now due to his thyroid not working at all.
It seems he is really fatigued these days.
Is there anyone out there that is going through the same thing that can tell me what it does to you or offer
any advice pn what may help?

[Lisi251]

Thanks- i will post as soon as we get the results

[goolarra]

In addition to the tests I suggested above, I'd have thyroid antibody tests (TPOab and TGab) to see if your husband has Hashi's.  He may have already had these done, in which case, his doctor will be able to tell you whether or not he has Hashi's.  

Since he's feeling fatigue, it's most likely that he needs a meds dosage adjustment.  The only way you will know what's going on is to test FT3 and FT4 as well as TSH.  Even if his lab work is "within reference range", he may require more or less meds to alleviate symptoms.  I'd get bloodwork done and be sure to include FT3 and FT4.  Those will help you and your doctor decide which direction his meds need to go in (probably an increase).  You can also post the results here if you'd like, and members will help you interpret them

[Lisi251]

I forgot to mention that his Doctor will not give him meds unless blood work is
done every 6 months

[Lisi251]

Well he got diagnosed before we met & he never said any name for it.
The only thing he told me is the doctor told him it doesnt work at all & in few
cases some peoples thyroid begans to work again for some unknown reason.

He does have to take a pill a day for the rest of his life.
I just feel the need to learn more about this to be able to help & support him more
It really seem to be taking its toll on him.Any info i can get would help so much
God Bless  

[goolarra]

How do you know that his thyroid has not worked at all since diagnosis?  Do you know the reason for his hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's thyroiditis, perhaps)?  When was the last time he had thyroid bloodwork?

Once you are hypothyroid (except in the cases of a few rare types of "temporary" thyroiditis), you have to be on meds every day for the rest of your life.  There is very, very little chance that it will begin to work again.

[Lisi251]

His thyroid has not worked at all since his diagnosis. He takes 1 pill a day
125mg of Levothyroxine.Is there any hope it will ever began to work?

[goolarra]

Your husband should have his free T3, free T4 and TSH tested.  I agree that it looks like he needs a meds adjustment.  If you have results of previous labwork (or your doctor can get them for you), you can compare current labs to previous ones (when he was feeling good) and use this as a guide to increase/decrease meds to adjust FT3 and FT4 to relieve symptoms.  

[Roxe]

I went through this same thing last fall. My Doctor increased my dosage of Synthroid up to 175mg. It did the trick. Earlier this year, I had too much of a good thing. He decreased my Synthroid back down to 150 mg.

My advice would be for your husband to make an appointment with the family Doctor or his Endocrinologist for blood work to be taken. His prescription might be too much or not enough.