Just diagnosed -- questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-21-2003
Just diagnosed -- questions
5
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 11:20pm
Hi. I'm going to be 40 in January. I have been VERY tired lately and unable even to do housework and barely making it through a four, five-hour day of work. (I work part-time). Yesterday, I received results of my blood work. I have low thyroid levels AND anemia. I had more blood drawn today. I'm messing up on my housework 'cause I'm thinking foggy, so I'm trying to lay low - taking my naps and reading books. I took the week off work. People think I'm on vacation - I guess it's really a sick leave. Anyway, I won't see the doctor until next Friday when she says she will prescribe something. Is there anything I can do until then - anything special to eat or anything? Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 7:11pm
Hi...welcome to the board. I'm sorry you are feeling so poorly, but you've come to the right place. Many of us here have either gone through what you are going through, or are still going through it. If you read through some of the other posts you will begin to see a pattern! LOL!

I'm kinda surprised that your doctor is waiting so long to get you on some medication. I would think with the results of your blood test that something could be done. Have you asked if they could possibly get you in sooner or phone in a prescription?

For the thyroid problem, only medication will correct it and that can take a while to get into your system where you will feel an improvement. I'm not aware of any foods that will help you any...just eat "right" (I think we all know what that means! LOL!).

For the anemia (and it's been a long time since I've dealt with that) you can eat foods that are high in iron and protein and they can help some. I personally can't think of any right now (I'm kinda foggy too lately), but I'm sure if you "google" around a bit you can find something.

The attached link is something our cl (Cathy) "created" from all her research. These vitamin supplements may help you start to feel better as well.

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-bhhypothyroi&msg=8461.4

I hope that helps and please come back and let us know how you are doing!

dazed

Dazed
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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-21-2003
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 7:35pm
Hi Dazed (good name!) I had to go and get more blood drawn so she could determine the amount of medication I need. Sooo.... I called today and Friday is the soonest they can get me in. It's a new doctor for me and their office is quite popular. The one I have is very understanding and thorough -- just the darned wait. :)

Thank you for your sympathy and understanding. I really appreciate it. My husband has been extremely patient. He is one I worry about. I'm so irritable to him and he has taken on a lot of household tasks - I mean most, I'm ashamed to say.

Next week, I'm going back to work. Today I'm feeling better, a bit more energetic and my cold is getting better too. I will check out that site. Thanks.

icms37



iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 9:46pm
Hi and welcome - you got some great advice from "dazed", I would just add that you should just try to take it easy for the next few weeks or so. It will take a while for the medication to work so don't get discouraged if you don't feel better right away. Some people feel better within the 1st two weeks but it can really take anywhere from 2 weeks and up to 6 weeks, then 3 months to really benefit from the meds. So try to get a good night's sleep everynight, eat a well-balanced diet, do some moderate exercise if you feel like it. Even a leisurely walk everyday will help. Don't take on any major projects!!! When I was hypo but still undiagnosed, we had just moved into our new house. I painted rooms, unpacked boxes, laid a slate walkway on the side of our house!! LOL! What a nut I was. I was just doing what I would normally do but totally ignoring the exhaustion I felt.

I'm surprised, too, that your doctor is waiting so long but maybe that's how long it will take for the results to come back. That's not unusual.

In case your doc doesn't tell you, make sure to take your medication on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning. Don't eat anything for about an hour afterward and don't take any other medications, pills or supplements with it. Wait 4 hours to take a calcium or iron supplement. Especially since you're also anemic, make sure to ask your doctor when he wants you to take your iron supplement and when to take your meds. That's going to be important to make sure that your body absorbs each one properly.

I hope you feel better sooner than later!! Let us know if you have any other questions. Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-21-2003
Wed, 11-17-2004 - 10:32pm

Hi and thanks. I am trying to just take the Synthroid first thing in the morning, but when you don't get up until almost 12 and you have as many meds as I do, well... Today I ended up taking it all pretty much at once. But I'll do that in the future. My doctor didn't give me iron supplements, but said to take a multiple vitamin with iron. I guess I'll take that in the evening or just before my job (afternoons).

I have lightened up my schedule by quitting a second part-time, at-home copyediting job. And I had to cancel my Head Start volunteering. I told her I have been having health problems (volunteered a while ago because I was just feeling blah). Now I realize I was sick! So I'm left with just one part-time job now. :)

I take antidepressants (have for years) and am currently on antibiotics and inhalers because I also have bronchitis! When it rains, it pours, I guess.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-21-2003
Wed, 11-17-2004 - 10:37pm
Cathy, You WERE crazy! I have just been sleeping most of the time lately for several months. It took my husband to realize it, though. He didn't complain, just thought something was wrong. I just wanted to sleep. I've probably had a problem for about a year I'm guessing.