hypothyroid and headaches
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| Wed, 11-08-2006 - 8:55pm |
Hi I'm a 32 y/o mother of 3, just in the discovery phases of a hypothyroid problem. I had no idea this would be the conclusion when I went to the doctor after 3 months of feeling lousy. I thought it was a low grade virus that I just couldn't shake. Turns out my thyroid is shot and all my symptoms (even ones i didn't know were related) match this conclusion. I have a few concerns or questions:
1. This all started with terrible headaches. Is it possible these are related to hypothyroid? (please say yes so I can have hope they will go away).
2. My white blood cell count is low. Was 1.9, after a month it is 2.9. Does anyone know if this is related to maybe the autoimmune part of my thyroid problem? And am I at risk for infection? And will it return to normal?
3. I have been on 50 mcg of levothyroxin for 4 weeks now. While some things are improving, I am still far from being well and my tsh level down, but not down enough (from 17.3 to 6.5). I feel very tired still and still am suffering from many headaches.
I so badly want this to just be done and get back to my life. I thought I was going to be diagnosed with strep throat and be better in a week! I am a young, health conscious person who loves sports and this is just the pits!
Thanks for any help
Carrie in Il

Hi Carrie,
Welcome to our board.
It's no wonder that you were not feeling well with a TSH of 17.3.
Yes, I definitely had headaches when my level was above normal. They did go away when my levels were more in the normal range. Hang in there. I know how horrible you feel now, I've been there.
Lisa
Thank you for your words. I still think I'm denying all of this. I keep thinking "it's just a thyroid issue, it's not a big deal." But I really do feel crummy. When I have a good day I realize just how lousy I normally feel. I am especially worried about withering away. I am so far below my normal workout routine & I hate to think how much work it will take me to build up my strength again. I don't want to be a whiner. I want to be playful! How much longer? I will get back to normal once I get through all of this discovery, right?
Carrie
Hi,
It took about 8 weeks, then the last test I had two weeks ago, my hormone leves were in the normal range (but it might take longer for yours to get to the normal range since it was so high). Anyway, I do not feel tired now and in fact it is quite the opposite. I am having trouble sleeping and started getting headaches again (but this time the headaches are from the medication) and am feeling a little nervous. I know these symptoms are a result of the medication. I am going again this week for a blood test to see if I can lower the medication.
Hopefully I can lower it and feel a little less "awake", but better than I was feeling before.
Lisa
It is quite possible to get headaches from hypothyroidism. It's going to take some time for everything to work out with the levothyroxine. That's a medicine that your doctor will need to adjust slowly. I'm sure you'll feel better soon. Good luck!
~ Beth Children's MD http://www.childrens-md.com/ A Guide for Parents on Children's Health
Hi - I am also Hypothyroid and have been for about 3 years or so. I was on Synthroid first and that worked so well that I began to wonder how long I had walked around sluggish, no memory, cold etc without knowing I had this condition. But then my insurance made me switch to the generic form of Synthroid which is what you are taking now. Within a couple of months I started feeling lousy again. I never made the connection that it was that the generic form didn't work as well for me. Everyone swears that they are same but for me I noticed a big difference.
Good Luck..
Yvonne
Hi
I haven't read the other responsese but here is my experiences:
I did have the headache thing; I still get them since being on thyroid med, but not as often.
My white blood cell count is low too. I also have Celiac's disease(gluten intolerance)so that accounts for that. Low wbc can defiantely be part of autoimmune issues(according to my Doctor)She encourages me to get the flu shot, vitamins, etc.
My TSH started at 6 something and I now at 72mcg of synthroid. It takes a while to get things straight(I've been on thyroid meds for a year)4 weeks is way to soon for your body to get things figured out yet.
I know its frustrating but give it time. My Doctor and I are still working at it.
Dana