Gland Disorders Forum - Just How Severe Is My Hypothyroidism?

Conditions and Diseases > Gland Disorders Forum > Just How Severe Is My Hypothyroidism?

What does it mean to have low levels of thyroid hormone in the body? We outline how doctors define hypothyroidism here....

Q: Just How Severe Is My Hypothyroidism?

asked by: BrittanyJ on July 10th, 2005

New User

This may seem like a stupid question, but I am totally in the dark.
I am an 18 year old female, and I was very recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism, after suffering for years with dizzyness and fatigue, and withing the last few months with headaches, weight gain, shakiness, shortness of breath, and periods twice a month. The doctor's office I went to was, for lack of a better work, a mess. It took over a week, and several nasty phone calls, to even get my lab results and prescription.

I haven't picked up the medication yet, but I know that it is .25 mg of synthyroid. Herein my question lies. I think this is the equivalent of 250 mcg? I've read several other topics and posts, and this is the highest dosage i've come across. Is my math correct? And if so, just how severe is my problem? The doctor was of no help in the first case, so if I need further help I will probably find a new one, which is why i'm asking here instead of calling her. If my condition is worse than I thought, I would like to know so that I can find a specialist or begin researching options. Thanks so much!

Brittany

Replies(12)

hayleyh5

replied on August 20th, 2005

New User

Hello

Hello brittany, sorry to hear you've been so unwell. It often takes a while for thyroid problems to get diagnosed as the symptoms can be so vague. I dont know about synthroid, i'm in the uk so I just take generic brands of thyroxine when I need it (mine fluctuates but i'm a very unusual case). But the one thing I can tell you is that you need to see your blood test results, generally the higher your tsh (thyroid stimulating hormone), the more severe your hypothyroidism. Hope this helps. ;o)

krissymissy33

replied on September 14th, 2005

New User

Hypo Med

Hi brittany..I am 20 years old and have been dealing with hypothyroidism since I was 11. I had the hardest time adjusting to it. I believe that your math is correct on the meds-i thought it was awfully high also and looked it up. I am taking 100 mcg. Finally, after all these years, I am on a steady level. It sounds like your case is pretty serious..I can't imagine what you must be going through! I thought 100 mcg was alot. I know also, that I deal with anxiety and depression and days where I just want to stay in bed all day. Do you deal with that too? Hope everything is getting better!

pip2000

replied on September 16th, 2005

Experienced User

Hypo Meds

Hello krissy missy33,i also have to deal with a hypothyroidism problem,i also have anxiety problems,and just like you some days I just want to sleep,and just dont want to get out of bed,i am on 225mcg of thyroxine,my doc tells me things will get better when they sort the right dosage for me I just have to keep having blood tests untill they can get it right.:( its not nice ! X

sandyallen

replied on September 16th, 2005

Extremely eHealthy

Hi there! Some of my friends have this situation and their are times that it takes a while to get your meds correct, I am not a doc but you do have a right to a second and third opinion, until you feel it is correct, I too realize that the medical situations are horrible nowadays. Their are times when I check with the pharmacist on things if I am in doubt. Hope you feel better! Keep us posted, their are a lot of good people here.

daylight4000

replied on October 16th, 2005

New User

I started out at .75mg. Of synthroid. I've since have gotten better reduced
it to .50mg. It takes at least 6 weeks to start to feel better and several months possibly for your doctor to be able to reach the right dosage for you . The thyriod gland is a small beast that can be a royal pain. But there is hope with a lot a patience and rest. I know that the symtoms are
troubling it will get better. .25mg is pretty low. Don't worry :wink:

OaTmEaLfAiRy

replied on October 27th, 2005

Experienced User

Re: Hello

hayleyh5 wrote:

generally the higher your tsh (thyroid stimulating hormone), the more severe your hypothyroidism. Hope this helps. ;o)

that doesn't make sense to me. Hypo = low, right? So then why would high tsh make your thyroid slow? I've been diagnosed for about a year now. I've had it since at least 4th grade, or so my doctor thinks. (i just switched to her last year, after finally getting fed up with her colleague for not telling me anything or taking me seriously). I think you need to find someone you're comfortable with. Maureen (my "new" doctor) caught the hypothyroidism and depression immediately, after me telling dawn (her colleague) for months about my symptoms and the most recognition that I got was, "i think there's something else going on here." and that was it, she shoo'ed me and my mom out of her office. What the heck, right? I won't even go to her while my doctor is out of the office. I'd rather be sick another day or week rather than go to that witch again! So, see it all depends on if you're comfortable.

forbiddenkiss30

replied on January 18th, 2006

New User

Re: Hello

oatmealfairy wrote:

hayleyh5 wrote:

generally the higher your tsh (thyroid stimulating hormone), the more severe your hypothyroidism. Hope this helps. ;o)

that doesn't make sense to me. Hypo = low, right? So then why would high tsh make your thyroid slow? . .

high tsh does not make the thyroid slow..High tsh represents a bad thyroid... The pituratary gland realeses tsh to stimulate the thyroid to produce t4 and t3 , when they thyroid is slacking it takes more tsh to try to get the failing gland functionable thus abnormal/higher tsh levels..

mr green

replied on January 23rd, 2006

New User

A lot of people feel very painful after getting serious disease. Some of them get recovery after finding the right medicine. Maybe the following medicine can help you. I quote the link for you . Greenlife-herbal.Com.
I hope your pain can be relieved after you find the right medicine. Wish more and more people can become healthy again.

donna28

replied on February 20th, 2007

New User

you need to see an endocrinoligis. they will answer all your

question, because its their field.

bluefishca

replied on May 27th, 2009

New User

Levothyroxine

I have been on 300mcg daily for years, I began at 14 with 125, I had 4 children it went up with each pregnancy and here I am at 40 on 300mcg. So no, I am on the highest I've seen..lol

Godawgs43

replied on July 28th, 2009

New User

I haven't seen a endocrinologist yet i have an appointment next week all i know if that my blood work says that my thyroid levels are well from what the lady said "way too high" but she didnt say how high. So i assume this means that i have hypothyroidism. The condition is awful and my husband is in the army so as of right now he's only home on the weekends. We have an 11 month old daughter as if that isnt exhausting enough without the thyroid problem now i have her and when i wake up i'm already exhausted. I feel awful because i'm never in the mood to take her to the park or the pool or do anything fun with her because im so tired or generally just arent up to it.

jamesivanyi

replied on November 19th, 2009

New User

Hi there, I'm a 22 Yr old male, and I was diagnosed almost 5 weeks ago now with Hashimotos Hypothyroidism. (Random). The endocrinologist is firm my case was severe and nearing the Myxademic coma stage. I'm on 100MG Thyroxine to start. Like i said its been about 5 weeks and I feel possibly WORSE than when this all started. I am suffering from dizzy spells, I cant sleep, have constant tinnitus, my hair is like straw and falling out. Its just the worst I feel like Im dying! Have been off work for a month now. I can barely function or hold a sentence together. Can anyone give me an estimate time of how long it takes to start feeling better? I know its a while, my docs are telling me to be patient. But its so hard, 24/7 for a month now.
Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks Guys, Jimmi.

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