Thursday, March 3, 2011

Thyroid Schmyroid, part deux

I apologize I have been totally MIA, somehow life seems to be moving way too fast. Z is going to be six, and I am just shocked that it was six years ago I had my daughter.

Ok.....got that out....anyway...I finally saw a doctor. I was going to just go to my girlie doctor, since that is the only doctor I have down here so far, but decided I should go straight to the type of doctor that specializes in this, so I made an appointment with an endocrinologist. I must admit, I have not read obsessively about underactive thryoid stuff online, because I know me, and I know I can't handle medical stuff and the more I stay away from medical research online, the better.

I must admit first....since going gluten-free my anxiety level has tremendously dropped, except when it comes to going to a doctor. Once I get ten miles from the doctor office, my heart starts racing, and I desperately need a bathroom. Yes, I said it...I get the most nervous tummy, and usually the first thing I have to do when I walk in the building, even before checking, is go to the bathroom. Am I crazy, or what?

Since this is a new doctor, I am extra nervous, and probably loose 5 pounds before I even get into the examining room. A good weight loss program for me....having to regularly go to a doctor. Major white coat syndrome.

I told the doctor what my thyroid numbers were for the last couple of years and all the sudden she breaks out an ultrasound machine....cue, my need to go potty! I wasn't expecting this, I don't like the idea of there even being a need for someone to have to look at my insides even if it is my fingertip. And honestly, if I have to have an ultrasound, I would rather it be to look for a baby and heartbeat....not some mystery thing in my throat. I thought I was going to hyperventilate and pass out when she was looking at my throat, I couldn't even look at the screen.

Thankfully, everything was fine there and then she ran a bunch of bloodwork.

The result, my TSH is 4.62, and she has me started on 25 mg Synthroid. It seems like a small amount, but I go back in, in six weeks to see how my TSH is liking it. I don't love that I have to take it first thing in the morning, an hour before food, but I am very curious how it will change how I feel. I always thought I was pretty energetic, but maybe I am not as energetic as I could be. And if I could loose weight once again, I would be more than thrilled!

And as I try to step cautiously into maybe, possibly TTC, well then I know my thyroid needs to be in good shape, and at almost 39, I don't have much time to mess around.

Other than my thyroid number, I also learned I am a little low in vitamin D, which was 28 and should be between 30-100. Hmmm...well I have taken a gel cap of 1,000 iu D3 daily for 2 years...do I need more? Do I need to lay out?

I did not yet find out if I have thyroid antibodies, but I will save finding out that bit of info until my follow-up visit.

I had spoke to some friends about Armour, the natural form of thyroid hormone, which comes from pig thyroid, and they love it, but somehow I am not in love with that idea right now.

Again, I would love to hear from people who have experience with underactive thyroid and Synthroid.


3 comments:

  1. I began taking Synthroid in 1994 at age 31. Currently my dosage is .112 mg. I have only had my dosage adjusted once after several years of taking it (I don't remember what the dosage was that I started on). I can't say that I've ever noticed a difference in my energy level, but I know that some people do. I usually get up early in the morning to go to the restroom, then go back to bed, so I take my Synthroid then. Otherwise it is hard to wait an hour until I eat after I take it. My OB/GYN does lab work each year and checks to see if I need an adjustment in my dosage. Good luck as you begin this medicine--hope it makes you feel even more energetic and you see some added benefit of weight loss!

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  2. Thank you Stacy. It definitely seems like it is pretty common among women. The past few nights I have been waking up at like 5, automatically because I am worried that when I wake up for the morning, I won't be able to eat, and I take it then. I am sure it will seem easy once I get used to it, but I guess it will take time.

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  3. I've been taking Synthroid since I was 11 when I was diagnosed with Hypothryoid among other things. I'm currently on 0.175MG. Over the past several years I have felt super tired with no energy and a lot of the symptoms, but everytime it's checked my numbers are fine. I actually just got test results back yesterday and I am under severe adrenal fatigue....so that explains that tired/no energy feeling. I hope everything works out well for you!

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