Advice: Hypothyroidism

butterfly62682

I went to my OB/gyn yesterday for my yearly. I told her that I have been feeling really tired lately and wondered if maybe the breastfeeding had taken a lot out of me and my body was just making up for it. She decided to run some test. We did a CBC and thyroid check.

My CBC is completely normal, no anemia. But she said my thyroid wasn't producing as much as it should. It is close to borderline but she would still like to put me on medicine.

So here is my question. She wants to put me on Synthroid (Levothyroxine) (I think this is how she said it.) Have any of you taken this medicine? Or something similar? What were the side affects for you? 

I am really funny about medications, even simple things like ibuprofen and Tylenol. Did the benefits out way the side effects for you?

ETA: grammar

sunset+skies

My mom has been on synthroid for what seems like a million years - as long as I can remember. She's had issues with bouts of insomnia while on it, mostly because her thyroid will suddenly change how much it's producing, and then she's technically over-medicating. Once it starts producing the way it was, she's fine.

march2008

I was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism just a few months before we started TTC our DD. My levels of TSH were just barely to the point where treatment is recommended. I've been taking a low dose of levothyroxine ever since. I don't have any side effects. The medication is just to supplement the hormone that is naturally produced by your body. So long as your TSH is monitored and your levels are maintained within the "normal range", then you shouldn't have any side effects from this medication.

frugalwife

I've been on levothyroxine since I was 12. I can tell when my dose needs to be adjusted. Just make sure not to take it with a vitamin or calcium supplement as it can alter the absorption.

butterfly62682

EmJon:

I've been on levothyroxine since I was 12. I can tell when my dose needs to be adjusted. Just make sure not to take it with a vitamin or calcium supplement as it can alter the absorption.

But can I take the vitamin later in the day?

frugalwife

butterfly62682:

EmJon:

I've been on levothyroxine since I was 12. I can tell when my dose needs to be adjusted. Just make sure not to take it with a vitamin or calcium supplement as it can alter the absorption.

But can I take the vitamin later in the day?

 

Yes. It has to be spaced a couple of hours apart. I usually take my levo in the morning and vitamin in the evening.

butterfly62682

Em&Jon:

butterfly62682:

EmJon:

I've been on levothyroxine since I was 12. I can tell when my dose needs to be adjusted. Just make sure not to take it with a vitamin or calcium supplement as it can alter the absorption.

But can I take the vitamin later in the day?

 

Yes. It has to be spaced a couple of hours apart. I usually take my levo in the morning and vitamin in the evening.

Thanks. I am a little nervous about taking it. But if it will make me feel better and have more energy it will be worth it. Especially since I am trying to lose weight.

IdigDirt

My midwife did the test since my mother was just diagnosed with hashimotos and I came back just out of the acceptable limit. Midwife said I had to see my primary about it and I don't have one so I am waiting and ignoring it for a bit.

lovebugkim

I found out that I had Hypothyroidism at my yearly exam right when we were going to start TTC. My ObGyn strongly recommended I get it under control before TTC because it can cause birth defects. I had been having heart palpitations, weight gain, always tired, and my neck looked swollen. I saw my family Dr & he checked my blood & had me get an u/s on my neck. I was prescribed Levothyroxin & have been on it ever since. It doesn't give me a huge burst of energy, but if I'm super sleepy it helps once I've taken it. My swollen neck has also gone down in size & my weight has been regulated. (I had lost 35 lbs after I had the twins & gained it all back in 4 months while working out with no change in diet.) Once diagnosed, you should NOT stop taking the pill or skip any days because you can develop heart problems, high cholesterol, & weight gain!

After I had the twins, my levels were so out of whack I had to see an Endocrinologist to do a more thorough blood test & finally after 15 months & a couple dose increases I'm back to the correct range.

simbaby

So random, but thought I'd share anyway. I was convinced that I had hypothyroidism because I've been feeling exhausted lately. I have hyperthyroidism (Graves disease) and on meds but thought maybe I moved into the hypo category -- which is quite common. Come to find out, I don't have hypo (still have the stinking hyper)........but just found out my twin sister is pregnant! We are really close and she said she felt some pain when I was in labor with DS. I didn't believe her but now I'm a believer of whatever that twin connection thing is. So random, I know, but it's crazy! I just hope I don't feel her pain when she's in labor!!

Spartanmama722

I've been on levothyroxine for 3 years now. My TSH levels weren't so high that I was noticing a ton of symptoms, but when I started taking the meds it did seem to help with my energy and metabolism. I've had zero side effects from taking it. I just take it as soon as I get up in the morning (before I even get out of bed), since you're supposed to take it 30 minutes before or 2 hours after eating. It's just part of my routine now and it's never been a big deal.

dicer2

I have hypothyroidism and I've been taking Synthroid for several years.  I have no side effects.  It actually made me feel normal again because my body was so out of whack.  (I was way beyond a borderline value.)  I had extreme fatigue, couldn't catch my breath, couldn't get pregnant, weight gain, panic attacks, etc.  The weird thing was I would clutch my neck when I had the panic attacks, like my body was trying to alert me to what was wrong.

It is important for me not to change brands of my meds.  I tried to go to the generic but some of my symptoms started to come back so I went back to Synthroid.  I also had a hard time at the beginning knowing I'd have to take medication the rest of my life, but I was able to come to terms with it.

Sa2827

This past pregnancy I was just diagnosed with Hashimotos disease which is hypo.  I am on Levoxyl and have to take it every morning on an empty stomach.  But i have def felt a difference being on it and its nice to feel normal.  My numbers were not borderline though.... which may be why i felt a huge difference. 

But levoxyl is fine during pregnancy and BF so no matter what you will be fine... I had to go every week for the first two trimesters for my blood work because pregnancy throws everything out of whack.  

You will be good, especially once you are on the right dose. 

kellymacc

I am hypo like you - Our RE was actually the one who caught it. And I've been on Levothyroxine for 3 years now.

No real side effects - although when I was pregnant my dose was increased, I was checked at 6 weeks pp and it was still fine but I started losing a ton of weight and was pretty jittery not long after that check. From there I was checked again and told to stop all medications and then when we went back to the Fertility Center they checked it again and put me back on the higher dose.

My biggest complaint is that I need to go in and have it checked quite a bit, but I'm pretty sure once I'm done having children it will level off. 

Shine2015

I know I am a little late to the conversation, but make sure you read exactly how to take it.  If I remember right, you should take it a half hour before eating anything or eat and then take it after but I can't remember how long you need to wait before taking it.  If you don't, it may not work correctly.