New and Confused

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2003
New and Confused
1
Fri, 11-12-2004 - 9:03pm
Hi! My name is Rachael and I was recently diagnised with hypothyroidism, and am completely scared. I have two older friends who are hypo and have had several problems arising from treatment such as being grossly overweight and poor skin. While I am not vain, I am concerned about my weight and appearance like most women. The doctor had ordered the test because I was having an impossible time loosing weight (eating about 1300 and gaining weight). In addtion, I am only 24 and am worried about the long term effects such as life expectancy and other medical problems related to being hypo. I have read that being hypo also affects fertility. I had planned to establish my career and wait to have kids until I was thrirty or so. Is this now a bad plan? I have read the info on WebMD and about.com and this website, but all seems very simplistic and not very indepth. Where is a good source to get up-to-date and accurate information? Also my doctor started me out on 50 mg on Levoxyl. She said this is higher than normal. Is that true? TIA!
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
In reply to: rerter
Fri, 11-12-2004 - 11:46pm
Hi Rachael - welcome! I can understand all your worries - but there really isn't any reason to be scared. I think most of the problems that come with being hypo come from either being undiagnosed for a long period of time or being undermedicated. Both situations cause a lot of symptoms and a lot of problems. But once you have your TSH level in the normal range - between 1.0 and 2.0 - most people feel just fine. Some don't and might need a different medication, perhaps one that contains both thyroid hormones, T3 and T4. Regular meds just contain T4, like Synthroid and Levoxyl. When you are trying to get pregnant, you will need your TSH between 1.0 and 2.0 and will need to be monitored by your endo so that she can adjust your medication throughout the pregnancy. The meds do NOT affect the baby at all. They actually have no side effects at all, really. They are just replacing the hormone that your body is unable to make enough of on its own. It's not like your adding anything.

There isn't any reason at all why you couldn't live a long and healthy life being hypo. I'm hypo and I plan to live a long and healthy life. LOL! If your hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto's disease, that makes it an autoimmune condition. Once you have one autoimmune condition, you're more susceptable to others, like diabetes, arthritis, etc. But there's no reason why you HAVE to get some other condition. It just seems to happen that way. I'm hypo from Hashimoto's and have a touch of arthritis in my neck and upper back. I only feel it when my meds are off. The best way to control all other conditions, in my own opinion, is to stay on top of your TSH level by being tested at least every 6 months. Also know your own symptoms so that if you feel them coming on, you can assume that your TSH level is rising and you can call your doc to go in for a blood test. Keeping your TSH in the normal range will keep your cholesterol in check, your blood pressure low, allergies calm etc and so on.

Some good books to read - although I can't believe you think about.com's site is simplistic, there is so much info there - is Mary Shomon's, Living Well with Hypothyroidism and Dr. Ridha Arem's, The Thyroid Solution. Mary's other site is www.thyroid-info.com. There are also association sites that have alot of info on them: http://www.thyroid.org/index.php3?M_Session=9994cd41eb24e7a8b784b42c34ca745a

http://www.aace.com/

http://www.aarda.org/

Taking 50 mcg of Levoxyl is not higher than normal at all. As a matter of fact, it's a pretty standard dose to start out on. Don't be surprised if your doctor keeps increasing your meds based on your blood tests just starting out. That's also normal. I'm at 125 mcg now and I started at 25 or 50 mcg, I can't remember which. The way I look at it, it doesn't matter to me what my dose is as long as it keeps me in the normal range.

I don't think there's anything wrong with your plan on when you want to get pregnant. Just remember that the longer you wait, the harder it is to conceive. That has nothing to do with your thryroid, it's just what they've found since so many women longer and longer to have their first baby.

I hope this helps!! Feel free to ask any other questions you might have! Cathy :)