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.
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!
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
ReplyDeleteI'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!
ReplyDelete