How long for Synthroid to start working?

Hi all!
I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism & just started Synthroid last week. Does anyone know how long until I start feeling better? I have been feeling so run down for a long time. When my hair started falling out I got tested for TSH & it came back high. My dermatologist says it will be probably 6 months for my hair to start growing back, but I'm wondering how long until the other symptoms start to subside.

Also, I have a stomach problem (infection, probably an ulcer also we're waiting on test results) so I have been losing a LOT of weight. I've heard that hypothyroidism usually causes weight gain so I'm wondering whether Synthroid would end up causing weight loss. I'm a little concerned since I've already lost so much weight. I see my PCP again in 3 weeks, but I'm hoping maybe some other members can share their experiences so maybe I don't have to worry so much in the meantime.

Thanks much!
Frances

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Moderator -- Depression Forum

My experience is that I was able to feel some improvement on each med dose increase but the total max benefit takes up to 6 weeks.

Hi I have crohn's disease and see that immune system play an important role with thyroid problems as well. Sorry I cain't help you much with your question but just wanted to give some support as a person living with crohn's I am amazed at how many problems the immune system can cause.I do know someone that takes a replacement med because they have had their thyroid removed .Hope someone comes along with some answers. lol gail

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Hallarious woman over 50 ,CD ,IBS 27 years--resection,fistula's,obstructions,hemmies,and still alive.lol gail
"Blessed are those that can give without remembering and recieve without forgetting ~Aurthor Unknown~Blessed are they that have the joy of helping others~ Moderator gail

Gail,
Thanks for your support.

Lori,
That is so encouraging to hear that your stomach problems went away with the Synthroid. I was hoping they were related. I can hardly believe how many of my symptoms are related to my thyroid problems. I am already feeling a bit more energy & less depressed even though I just started the meds last week. My PCP thinks that my stomach probs & anemia are signs of an ulcer & are not related to my thyroid, but I have been anemic or borderline anemic most of my life & have been tested for ulcers & never had one yet. The weight loss & nausea started about the same time as the rest of my symptoms, so I'll keep my fingers crossed that maybe it's all due to my thyroid. Thanks so much for sharing with me. :)

Frances

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Moderator -- Depression Forum

It takes about a 6 weeks for med to work. Last time my TSH went high despite taking medicine, my major symptom was - severe leg pain during evening walk- ....with higher dose it took a few weeks to get better.

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UC forum : Right now -FLARING (after my Rubella vaccination)
Diagnosed in Jan'2009: Canasa suppositories 1000 nightly - worked for 2 months then re-flare
13 may: canasa 1000 X2 daily for 2 weeks - to start Lialda after 2 weeks if canasa double dose does not work
Lialda X2 started on 30th may.
Symptoms: Mucus, blood, constipated (not always), Lots Gas
Also started Probiotic from 23 Mar & fresh Turmeric root from 25 March'09- stopped both on 10th May

Thyroid Forum: Dx in Dec'08, levothyroxine from 50mcg to 77 mcg in June'09 :-(

Thanks saposs,
I had been in increasing pain & saw my pain specialist for injections which didn't help much. I have noticed that my knee pain is reduced quite a bit now & my back pain is a tiny bit better, so I'm hoping that the pain will continue to decrease over time. It is so encouraging to read all these stories about people being helped so much by starting on thyroid meds. Thanks so much for the encouragement.

Frances

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Moderator -- Depression Forum

Hi i have hypothyroidism and ulcerative colitis and for the last week have been getting really bad leg pains which i put down to finishing prednisone but seem to blame that for everything lately i take 50mg of levothyroxine for thyroid maybe dose needs changing did not even think it could be to do with my thyroid for years i have just taken the tablets and not thought any more have bloods done and thats about it.

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Frances -
My wife was diagnosed with Hashimotos at 13. She has had the left side removed and the right side basically cut in half(thickness). Before the surgery she was losing a lot of weight even with being hypo. Since the surgery she has struggled with her weight and has not been able to get the symptoms to subside. She still deals with the tiredness, inability to handle cold temps, some hair lose at times, leg pains, etc. Her surgery was in 2003 and her levels are constantly changing. She has to be tested every 6 months to stay on top of it. And unfortunately her remaining thyroid is starting to enlarge again, as they said in might. The Ents and Endos told her the symptoms should subside in a couple months at first, now they say they may never change.
It's strange that even though it was enlarged and she had nodules, that were benign, she felt better before they did the surgery than she does now. And now they say they should have just removed both sides and the synthroid would probably have worked better. Some day I am sure she will have had enough and decide to have the rest removed, but she doesn't want to seal with the surgery again just yet.
I pray everyone dealing with this finds a way to manage their symptoms. I have seen how frustrated you can be and wish you all can be symptom free.
I am a regular on the GERD forum and have told her about this forum starting, but she just isn't comfortable yet to come her.
Sorry I ended up rambling here instead of giving Frances a straight answer.
Take care,
Bill

No worries Bill. Ramble all you want!


I have heard of people having results in a couple days, but for me it took about 2 months.

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^{Forum Co-moderator - Crohn's Disease:_All comments have the caveat contact your local health care provider.}

Gosh, looks like a few of us from the UC forum also have thyroid issues-:) I guess no suprirse since they are both autoimmune diseases.

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diagnosed 1/09 with colitis & diverticulitis

Bill,
Thanks so much for the info & story. It really is so helpful to me to keep hearing about other people's experiences. That's awful about your wife feeling worse after surgery. Fortunately, I don't seem to have any lumps right now & I'm hoping it will stay that way. But I just feel so sick. I tried my PCP again today & she has yet to get back to me about my latest test results.

All,
This is really great all the information everyone has to share. I have been reading some about hypothyroidism, but it seems like sites either list only a few symptoms, or they list basically every sickness known to man. I'm trying to sort out what is what & to see when the Synthroid might help and if I might need a higher dose at some point (I'm at 50 right now). It is so great to read about everyone's experiences.

Many thanks,
Frances

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Moderator -- Depression Forum

Frances, have you done a pill camera?

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^{Forum Co-moderator - Crohn's Disease:_All comments have the caveat contact your local health care provider.}

I haven't. I'm interested in them (though trying to find it is a bit disturbing), but I've been told that they won't do the camera pill until after they have already done an upper & lower endoscopy. I'm not sure why that is -- I kinda panicked when I heard the word "endoscopy". I had a really horrible experience the last time -- long story short, the GI violated the contract I signed, overdosed me on anesthesia (I didn't know where I was for 3 days) & then lied to me and told me I had Barrett's Syndrome to cover up the fact that he had badly scraped my esophagus with the scope & needed to put me on pills so everything could heal up. A friend of the family, one of the top GI specialists in the US, ended up reviewing my case & helping me get things straightened out, but it was all really horrible & the fact that he lied to me & told me I was pre-cancerous at age 19, was really upsetting.

So I'm hoping they can figure out some sort of treatment plan with just blood work. If they can figure out a way to do the pill cam & get my insurance to cover it, I suppose I would be willing to do that, but I'm just really concerned about getting more sedation for a procedure. I know you can get endoscopies done without sedation, but that was what my last one was supposed to be -- I even signed a statement & wrote on there that they couldn't give me demerol, but they gave it to me anyways. It was a mess & I'm worried it would happen again. So I guess we'll just have to see whether the Synthroid will be enough & if not, take it from there.

Thanks for your ideas!

Frances

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Moderator -- Depression Forum

I just recently went from 75 mcg to 137 mcg and I am not nearly as tired as I usually am. [about a week on the higher dose]..... I could fall asleep anywhere, anytime. I believe I will be feeling much better in the next few weeks. Also, this is important...make sure you take Synthroid and NOT the generic. My doctor insists on that and I have done some research..the generic does not work nearly as well and can cause some problems. I wish I could remember what...sorry... :) [My dr is a complentary medical dr...I think most conventional drs will tell you this isn't true]

You are not alone. Several of us have to put up with the daunting troubles of thyroid disorders. I am like you: I didn't realize how much your thyroid could affect EVERY other part of your body. It's crazy. But, thankfully we live in a day and age where medicine can greatly reduce the symptoms.

I went undiagnosed for about a year or so, and got my full plate of every hypo symptom. Now, though on Synthroid I still am working through it all. Just keep hanging to the fact that one day it will be better. I have come a LONG way from a year ago and just keep fighting, thus becoming stronger everyday.

Thank you all for sharing your stories. It always tends to offer encouragement to those of us going through similar things. Take care and "May the FORCE be with you". haha.

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Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Osteoarthritis in ankle/foot and knee, Chondromalacia patella, Accessory Navicular Syndrome, Hamstring tendonitis, Hypothyroidism

#LGLP, #JN3:16 #PS28:7 #ask_me_about_THEHOPE_i_have