Question:
Was diagnosed hypothyroid almost two years ago. Began synthetic hormone therapy immediately and noticed immediate change im mental outlook and attitude. Sex drive and energy level highly erratic since then…good during daytime and horrendous in late afternoon and, sometimes, evening hours. Lately, fatigue is overwhelming on a daily basis. Can’t figure out how to manage this, if at all possible. Sex drive fluctuates but usually comes around with the RIGHT stimulus and upon removal or improvement of fatigue symptoms. Friendships difficult to maintain as cynicism seems to prevail in most social settings… Woul appreciate any advice on how to deal with mentioned concerns
Response:
I’ve been taking Synthroid for chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s Disease) for more than 22 years now, so I’ve had lots of experience with this disease. How often do you see your doctor? Is he or she an endocrinologist? If not, that’s who you should be seeing. When you first get started on thyroid hormone, your TSH level should be checked after three months. If your TSH level still isn’t right and your doctor changes the dose, it should be checked AGAIN in another three months, and so on, and so on. After your doctor feels pretty good about your TSH level and your dosage, you should go back to him or her after one year to have everything checked again. It’s really important to have your TSH level checked at least once a year. Too much thyroid hormone is very dangerous. It can damage the heart, and it can also cause panic attacks. Too little thyroid hormone mimics the symptoms of depression. I’ve had the problems you describe, but they were due to depression and not my thyroid disease. (I was on thyroid pills for many years and felt great before developing depression.) If your TSH level is within the normal range, you should feel great. I’d suggest you have your TSH level checked again, and if it’s within normal limits, you should definitely see a psychiatrist to see if you also have depression. Even though my doctor says "it aint so," I’ve often wondered if hypothyroidism–even when the thyroid level is brought up to within normal limits with medication–and depression are part of the same disease. Apparently, my type of thyroid disease is an auto-immune disease. Did my overzealous immune system that destroyed my thyroid gland have anything to do with my brain no longer being able to produce the chemicals it needs to regulate itself, therefore, causing my depression and panic disorder? It’d be interesting to hear from others who are on thyroid replacement therapy who also have depression. Anyway, BuffinUp, I hope I’ve given you some advice you can use. Please let me know how everything turns out. Hugs, Helen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Was diagnosed hypothyroid almost two years ago. Began synthetic hormone therapy immediately and noticed immediate change im mental outlook and attitude. Sex drive and energy level highly erratic since then…good during daytime and horrendous in late afternoon and, sometimes, evening hours. Lately, fatigue is overwhelming on a daily basis. Can’t figure out how to manage this, if at all possible. Sex drive fluctuates but usually comes around with the RIGHT stimulus and upon removal or improvement of fatigue symptoms. Friendships difficult to maintain as cynicism seems to prevail in most social settings… Woul appreciate any advice on how to deal with mentioned concerns
Response:
I am on Synthroid and have experienced what you are talking about. It could be that the dosage you were given in the beginning isn’t right for you now. You didn’t say how old you are or if your weight haschanged, exercise, etc. Age keep meds from being used as effectively and sometimes needs to be increased or changed to something else. Weight will affect the way meds are assimulated as well, naturally the heavier we are usually the more meds it takes to affect the right response. Exercise has to do with thyroid meds as well. This also involves electrolites. You work off more of them when you sweat like from more strenous exercise, or during the summertime. See your dr. about these possibilities!!!!! Hope you are feeling better soon. Dianne.
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