Why am I having problems now after starting meds??

Rosie1028 · 01-06-2004, 06:47 PM

I was diagnosed with hypothyroid in October. I started on .75 mcg of levoxyl. The thing is i didn't even have any sympotms prior to meds. I am now constipated, which is odd since i am on glucophage and my body is cold and achy. I also feel like I am gaining weight.

I have an appointment to see my doctor on Monday. Any suggestions on what i need to ask for?

prunepie · 01-07-2004, 03:26 AM

my friend never felt sick until she started meds..but she also knows that if she hadnt started she would be dead because her thryoid is seriously messed up....

i dont have much advice but to tell you doc how you feel and to know your body is adjusting big time!! and also to know that there are many thryoid meds out there and some work better for certain people than others..here is a great website too... www.thyroid.about.com xoxo jenn

shenacat · 01-07-2004, 02:30 PM

Your thyroid was driving itself to death before meds. Now that you're on meds, your thyroid has relaxed (which is good). Problem is, you likely need an increase in medication - when first diagnosed, you often do for a while... When is your next bloodwork?

Keep copies of all of your lab results ... and make sure your TSH is hitting the 1.0 or so mark... that is really where you should be optimally (unless you had cancer and then you need to be completely suppressed to .000x or whatever). Your Free T4 and Free T3 levels should be checked too. Sometimes people don't do well without a little T3 added in the mix.

Rosie1028 · 01-07-2004, 04:25 PM

I had my inital 6 week blood work and my doctor called and said that I was in normal range now. I am going in monday and I am going to ask for specific numbers. I also have an article to take with me about hypothyroid being undertreated. Thanks for the info.

Also another thing that i noticed is that my hair started to fall out after taking the meds. I called my doctor about this and he gave me some comment about that our hair all has a season and maybe mine is in the falling out season. I swear the man is a crackhead!!

Joanne cira 1973 · 01-07-2004, 06:52 PM

What?

It must be some "suburbarn medical myth" because the last time I learnt anything about seasons was that TREES lost leaves in autumn to protect themselves. I never heard anthing about humans losing hair.....

Weird guy.... you still trust him to take care of your health?

prunepie · 01-08-2004, 01:18 AM

hair loss does go in cycles..and when you start meds... hair can fall out more everytime you adjust..but if you stay on one good dose it should go back to normal..but seasons?? lol like treess..nawww lol

xox jenn

shenacat · 01-08-2004, 04:23 PM

Hair grows in 3-6 month cycles. While you were hypothyroid your hair was growing in very thin and weak. Now that you're on treatment it has a chance to grow in thicker. What is happening is that the hair as it grows in thicker is breaking off at the weak points, at the parts that grew in weak and thin while you were sick. This is normal, and to be expected.