How do I know which one I have?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-23-2003
How do I know which one I have?
6
Mon, 09-06-2004 - 5:34am
I have been taking synthroid (although I'm embarrased to say sometimes I forget to take it), my dose needed to be higher but because I didn't like the doctor I never got the prescription (he didn't gave me any info as to what exactly I had and what I needed).  I had new tests done (get the results this week) so I will see how much do I need now.  My question is how do I know which one I have?  If hypo or hyper?  Sorry I know is a stupid question but there it is

 


*DarkMoonSky*

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Mon, 09-06-2004 - 9:15am
Hello!

The only stupid question is the one you don't ask! Other than that, there are no stupid questions!

HYPOthyroid is when your thyroid is under active. Generally you have feelings of being cold all the time, fatigue, weight gain, irritability, etc., etc. You can check out some of the sites listed on the top of the boards page for more info.

HYPERthyroid is when your thyroid is over active. And I'm not really sure about all the symptoms because I am hypo and I take synthroid. I'm not sure if that's any indication or not.

Here's a page from one of the information web sites. http://pages.ivillage.com/cl-calley7/thyroidinformation/id1.html

Anyway, I'm sure the cl's here (and others) will be able to give you much more information. It will help them to know what the test results were...but don't wait 'til then to check back here!

Mostly I just wanted to say you've found a great place to learn more about this disease and the people here are extremely knowledgeable and supportive.

Best of Luck to you!

dazed

Dazed
Co-CL Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Board
Co-CL Dogs Board

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Mon, 09-06-2004 - 10:36am
Hi and welcome. You got a great answer from dazed. If you were taking synthroid, you are hypothyroid. Anything else you want to know?? Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-23-2003
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 7:35am

Thanks for the info,

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 9:57am
Hi again!

At least now you know the cause of how you have been feeling. Once you have been taking the synthroid for a while, you should see improvements in your symptoms. I don't think there's a specific time frame for improvement because it's different for every person. Furthermore, if there is something else going on (the additional tests you are having) you may not feel 100% until it is under control. Some people notice improvements within a week or so, some take longer.

I didn't even know I was feeling THAT bad until I was diagnosed. When I read all the symptoms it was like the clouds opened up and the sun started shining and all the angels were singing! LOL! It was just a huge revelation as to why I was such a b*tch (excuse my french) at work, crying all the time, cold, tired (falling asleep on the drive home then crashing on the couch within an hour), gaining A LOT of weight, etc. I think when I first got tested my TSH was over 100. It took about 4 months to get me into the "normal" range. I'm not quite sure I'm there yet, but I do notice improvements.

My doctor tested me about every 2 weeks when we were getting started and after every test they incresed my dosage of synthroid. I started to get very discouraged that it was never going to get stabilized.

One thing I have learned from the posts on this board...you should ask your doctor for a copy of your results. You should ask them to interpret the results for you specifically, and in terms you can understand. Even I don't do this yet because I was too afraid to, but it's YOUR body and you have the right to know what is happening. I will be asking the doc for EVERYTHING when I go back again in about 2 months.

As for taking something for energy, be very careful! Many herbal products are not regulated by the FDA and their effects on your body or their interactions with the synthroid could be dangerous. I know one of the CL's here knows oodles about vitamins and how they can help. She will most definitely be able to help you there. And I will be watching for her reply too! :)

Anyway, sorry this is so long. Just keep your spirits up and know that it will get better. It sounds like you have a doctor you like now and who is willing to work WITH you to make you feel better! That's a wonderful thing to have!

Keep checking in to let us know how you are and how things are going!

Denise

Dazed
Co-CL Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Board
Co-CL Dogs Board

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 09-12-2004 - 10:15am
>so she prescribed me a low dose 25mg of synthroid. She said that she doesn't want to give me too much because then in the future my bones will suffer the consequences.<

What does this mean? I am curious to know if Synthroid is known to cause bone "problems."

Thank you.

~Karen

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-23-2003
Mon, 09-27-2004 - 10:14am

Sorry it took me so long to post an asnwer to your post but with the kids back to school I forget I tend to forget.