Thyroid meds anyone?

Kimenem

Kimenem

Cathlete
Hi all. I've been off the forum awhile due to work but have always felt this is a good place to come for info so here I am. I hope everyone is doing well.

Several mos ago, I found out my thyroid was slowing down. My TSH was 2.2 which was creeping up for me as it had been below 2.0. I was tested again the other day and it's now 4.2 so my dr. prescribed a low dose of Synthroid. I don't THINK I have any symptoms yet but have been complaining about hair thinning (not yet noticeable to anyone but me) for a coupl of years. Anyway, I'm hoping if the thyroid is responsible for this, the meds will help. What scares me IS the medication. What should I expect on it? I thought I read somewhere that you can't take it along with other meds/supplements. I also take the BCP, something for insulin resistence, and something to lower testosterone. They did tell me to take it on an empty stomach. I know several people here are on thyroid meds so....how do you take them?? Thanks!

Kim
 
I am taking lovothyroxin. I take it first thing when I get up, on an empty stomach. I have not noticed any side effects.

Kim
 
What to expect: you may have to have your dose adjusted after 4-6 weeks depending on the labs. If you start to feel really bad in any way, I would ask to be tested sooner than that. You should, ideally, feel no different or at least more energy ( you didn't say you felt fatigued, but you may not realize it until you get on meds.) A lot of people have a variety of symptoms on thyroid meds. Too numerous to list. Just don't use an overactive imagination about it.
when to take it: the research clearly shows that taking it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and waiting one hour to eat or take other meds/vitamins gives the best absorption and most steady blood levels.
As for Synthroid, it is a synthetic product. some people think they do better on a natural thyroid product. I'm sure they will chime in. I took Armour and felt better on it, but got discouraged with their constant supply problems. I found I needed a higher dose of Synthroid than was on the conversion chart. Once I got on the higher dose of Synthroid I am doing fine with it now.
Also taking estrogen in any form can cause you to need a higher dose of thyroid. (You can read that on the package insert of your BC pills.)They compete for the same receptors and binding proteins. So if you should happen to go off your BC pills, the dose may need to be adjusted. Just an FYI.
Beth
 
Not at all planning to go off the BCP since it's hair friendly and I DO NOT want kids. Going off would probably cause shedding for me. The same doctor (an endo) is prescribing all this so I'm sure he's aware of the dosing of the thyroid meds and the BCP. I just don't want anything to interact negatively. I was thinking about taking the Synthroid around 5:30am each day before working out and not take the other stuff untiil around 7:30. Other than some slight sleepiness if I sit around for too long, I really feel fine. Then again, my numbers aren't bad yet so hopefully I'm getting it early.
 
Hey Kim!

I started on Armour, then naturethroid with no results. I had my thyroid removed due to other complications and problems. After surgery, started on Synthroid at 100 mcg. I was ok on that for a while, then noticed I was more tired and not feeling myself. After rechecking my labs, discovered that my free T3 was low so I started on 5mcg of Cytomel. Now I'm on 88 mcg of Synthroid and 10 mcg of Cytomel and am doing great, no side effects or problems.

Thyroid meds are tricky to get right and it may take several different doses before you are on the right track. I have had hyper and hypo symptoms, both can be bad. :(

I take my Synthroid first thing when I wake up and wait to eat for at least 1 or 2 hours, but nothing with calcium for at least 4 hours since it can interfere with absorbtion of the med. (Cytomel can be taken with food at anytime, so it's only the synthroid that's an issue with food/supplement timing).

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. :)

A fabulous resource for all things thyroid ishttp://thyroid.about.com/
 
I am on Levoxyl. I take it as early in the morning as I can. Make sure not to take any calcium supplements within several hours of taking you meds. I think my thyroid was off quite a while before they figured it out. I had all the classic symptons, exhaustion, cold all the time, hair loss. But they never tested me because I have always been very thin. They were actually testing me for over active thyroid and it turned out to be under active. :confused: Linda
 
ABout the calcium. Would that just be any supplemets? Or things like milk, cheese, etc? If so, what about b'fast? I'm never happy! :p

Also, is it normal to have a reading of 4.2 but have no noticeable symptoms?
 
meds

HI, I take my pill first thing in the am, calcium I know you have to wait 4 hours to take after the thryoid meds. I take the rest of the my pills before dinner time. Ask you doctor or duggist The only problem day is wed when I take the boniva ( the other stuff I take, can't remember the name) which has to be taken on an empty stomach & no other pills or food for a half hour.
 
Kimenem said:
ABout the calcium. Would that just be any supplemets? Or things like milk, cheese, etc? If so, what about b'fast? I'm never happy! :p

Also, is it normal to have a reading of 4.2 but have no noticeable symptoms?
Click to expand...

I eat yogurt for breakfast and haven't had a problem. I always thought it was just calcium supplements.

Not sure about the reading, I don't remember what mine was when I had symptoms.
 
I've been on Levothyroxine (generic Synthroid) for years. The only time I notice anything is when I run out and haven't gotten to the pharmacy in a few days. Then I start getting cranky. Just make sure you get your blood tests regularly. I've had bouts of insomnia, or racing heartrate, which is indicative of too high a dosage.... so just pay attention to yourself and you'll be fine. I definitely can't stop taking it.... it's a lifetime friend for me.
 
Kimenem said:
ABout the calcium. Would that just be any supplemets? Or things like milk, cheese, etc? If so, what about b'fast? I'm never happy! :p

Also, is it normal to have a reading of 4.2 but have no noticeable symptoms?
Click to expand...

Hey Kim,

All this thyroid stuff is confusing, right? ;)

Everyone is different in regards to their TSH number and when they feel symptomatic. I was VERY syptomatic at over 3, other people I know feel normal with TSH 10. This is only ONE number, the other, more important numbers are Free T4 and Free T3. Did they test you for those? Personally I would not take meds if I was feeling good and only my TSH was high, but I'm sure your doc has a reason. Make sure to ask, as you are your own advocate!

Anything with calcium can lessen the absorbtion, so not just supplements. However, there's a lot of talk on the thyroid forums about this kind of thing and it comes down to this:

It's more important to be consistent and do the same routine (eating and time wise) than following the "rules" of taking in the am on empty stomach and waiting 4 hours before having anything with calcium.

Some people take their thyroid meds at night before they go to bed, having not eaten for at least 2 hours. Some people do have their thyroid meds in the morning with food but always do the same routine. The problem would be to one day take in the am with no food, then the next day with calcium, etc. You would never really know what was being absorbed and if your numbers were off, what would you change? I hope that makes sense!:D
 
I know for the set of blood work they did back in January they tested the other stuff too I believe. I do know that one of the numbers was a little low I think....I want to say the T3 and that was a couple of years ago. It was a different dr then and he ordered a thyroid scan which was normal. I still haven't gotten the meds b/c the pharmacy and my insurance can't get on the same page.

I'm just a little weirded out by this I guess because it needs to be monitored so closely and I'd rather not have bouts of a racing heart until I can get the dose lowered. Crankiness is a daily thing for me so that would be fine :p

The main reason I'm hoping it will help is just in case what hair weirdness I've had over the last few years is related.
 
I also take thyroid meds in addition to other hormone meds. I don't think thyroid will help with the thinning hair. I believe estrogen and testosterone are the two hormones that deal with this. Get your hormone levels tested to see which one(s) your low in and then get these corrected. Your hair will start growing in thicker than it currently is.
 
My endo doesnt believe hairloss is directly correlated with thyroid levels unles they are WAY HIGH. I'm already on a good pill for hair and a testosterone blocker.
 
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