So, it turns out that my thyroid gland is of the hypo variety and accordingly, I’ve been perscribed Synthroid.
I reviewed the literature provided by my pharmacist so I’m pretty sure that I’m taking it properly (in the evening, at least 2 hours after eating, at the same time as my BCP). In a week or so I go for a re-test to see how the level is, and whatnot. I think it’s working properly because I feel much less tired and crabby than I did.
However, I’ve had a low-grade headache since I started taking it - the literature suggests that this will dimish with use - is this what you’ve experienced? Also, I’ve been really itchy lately - does this sound like a Synthroid thing, or a “You need a better body lotion.” thing?
Does anyone have any tips? My mom has suggested that for her (she’s also hypothyroid) she had the best results by taking the pill in the AM and eating breakfast later, or skipping it all together. I’m not crazy about this idea, 'cus when I get up, I like to eat; however, I suppose if it will improve other things I can adjust. Has anyone else had a similar experience to my mom’s?
Finally, does anyone have any anicdotes or suggestions or words of encouragement they would like to share with me, the newly diagnosed sleepy person?
I’ve been taking synthroid for about 5 years. I don’t recall any side effects at all. My dose is pretty low, though–50 micrograms. I take mine first thing in the morning like your mom, mainly so I don’t forget it or have to cart it around with me.
I’ve been on it for ten years. I take it when I brush my teeth before going to bed. Some people feel better if they take it in the morning.
My skin does get very dry in winter. Curel works well for me.
I don’t know about low grade headaches… I started taking it when I was 14, and I wonder if I’ve been living with a headache ever since. I am certainly prone to tension headaches, and I clench my jaw etc. I don’t think that has anything to do with synthroid, though.
My wife takes Levoxyl, which is another brand of thyroid supplement. If she forgets, then her body literally starts slowing down, thus causing her to continue to forget until finally after a few days, she’s a raving maniac with a very bad temper.
Her very own thyroid gland was killed off by chemo many years ago.
So please, for the sake of your family, don’t forget to take your thyroid.
Another Synthroid user here… I take a decently-sized dose (150 mcg) every morning. I’ve been taking it for about six years. Strangely, the whole time I’ve been taking it, I have never had anything even remotely resembling a side effect, just an alleviation of the hypothyroidism symptoms it was prescribed for.
Thanks for the responses guys (and sorry for the delay answering - it’s been a busy weekend )
It’s nice to know that it tends to be side-effect free. I suppose this headache could just be stress related (I’m pretty stressed right now, which is unusual for me.)
Anyhoo - retest is tomorrow, so I can find out if the dose is proper for me.
I’ve been on Synthroid for about seven years. Chances are, the dry skin you’re talking about is a symptom of the hypothyroidism itself, not the result of taking the medication. I, too, have really dry, itchy skin, particularly in the winter.
Always be sure to read the labels on any over-the-counter medication you plan to take, such as cold medicine. Some will say not to take them if you have thyroid disease, or to check with your doctor first. Don’t take antacids such as Tums or Rolaids within a couple hours of taking your Synthroid, either.
The WryGuy has taken synthroid for 20 years now (his thyroid was removed due to cancer). He, too, has dry itchy skin, alleviated with lots of moisturizing products - shower gel, body lotion, etc. He has suffered from cluster headaches since childhood, but he’s not particularly prone to “ordinary” headaches, and since the headaches predate the synthroid by years, I doubt there’s a connection there. Good luck to you!
My mom’s been taking synthroid for nearly 25 years, and she’s an RN as well. I checked with her, and she suggests that you take it in the morning on an empty stomach. She also advises that you ask your doctor about the headache, and if you can’t reach your doc, try your pharmacist. Hope that helps.
mrAru takes 150 mg Synthroid every morning. He works for Verizon as a customer service drone and works the later shift, and likes to sit and do his email and read for a while before heading our at about 1030 or so. He tried evenings, but decided mornings worked better. He does seem to have about the same number of stress headaches as when he was in the navy, and has the typical dry skin. caveat however he also has a pre-existing condition of alopecia universalis and that also causes skin problems, and his finger and toe nails look like that weblink on a thread QtM <?> posted about speed users.
He does oatmeal [navy issues aveeno brand oatmeal bath additive] for the itchies, and uses aveeno lotion for the dryness, as well as some sort of drops for the fingernails [which might be of use perhaps to the thyroid nail brittleness problem] and has a list of foods to avoid for various reasons [did you know grapefruit juice is contraindicated for synthroid? it hypes up the effect of the meds in an unpredictable way :eek: ]
My mom has been taking Synthyroid for about 10 years now. I know the dosage gradually increases it the longer you take it. She, AFAIK, has never had any side effects and seems to be quite happy with it. I really did notice a change when she started taking it, she was back to her normal self again.
I’m not sure the dosage necessarily increases, although you do need to get it checked regularly. My dosage hasn’t changed since I started taking it over 5 years ago.
I have a thyroid gland but it’s pretty much just taking up space.
Around fourteen years ago, I had a strange result on my blood test. I had a cholesterol reading of over 330. The did a thyroid panel and found out that I needed some help. I didn’t feel tired and I was not close to overweight.
They gave me some pills and told me to take them every day for a month and report back. My new blood test showed that they were giving way, way too much. I still felt the same as before.
Eventually, we settled on 75 µg a day and that’s where I have been ever since. My blood test levels are normal and I continue to feel perfectly fine, even if I forget the pill for a couple days. I take my pill every morning and usually don’t eat until quite a while later in the day.
I went for a re-check blood test today and I have an appointment for a follow up next Wednesday.
I’m not actually feeling particularly good - I still have the headache and I’m very fatigued - the Dr. started me on a very low dose (50µg) so perhaps it needs to be increased.
I’ve also noticed that I have an odd egg shaped lump in my neck when I turn my head one direction and not the other - I admit that I was inspecting my neck 'cus my mom said I should. It’s entirely possible that it’s been there since I was born, or that it’s related to my wacky curved spine throwing things out of wack, but I think I should have the Dr. look at it just in case. Wouldn’t it be wacky if the reason my thyroid wasn’t working is because it has an egg-shaped-lump on it!
Anyhow - hopefully we’ll get this sorted.
I haven’t gained weight - is that unusual, or is it pretty standard? (I know they list it as a possible symptom, but it doesn’t seem to be one I have.)
I had my initial autoimmune attack a month before my thirteenth birthday, so I haven’t had normal function since then, which is an awfully touchy time to attribute any bodily change to anything other than puberty, but I will say that I had no particular weight gain after the attack, and certainly no weight loss after I was put on thyroid replacement a year later. Nor did I have dry skin, brittle hair, sunken eyes, constipation, or any other symptom except a noticeable fatigue after the fever abated (real, awful fatigue–but then, I’d had a temperature of 103 for two weeks) and irregular menstruation (I bled all the time). So I guess that weight gain and loss has no particular role in my hypothyroidism.