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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 7:59 pm
Got good news and bad news today from my endocrinologist appt. Good news is that I am NOT insulin resistant, but bad news, is that my thyroid is shot. Now I am starting a low dose (88 mcg) of synthroid. Anyone on this? Side effects? How did it help with weight loss, memory ect?
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Jmm
Member
08-16-2002
| Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 8:10 pm
I don't know anything personally about this medication, but you can go to Mayo Clinic for more information.
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 8:19 pm
Annie, no big deal Been on those for about 15 years. Will be on them until the day I die. I inherited my thyroid condition. Mum has been taking this for about 50 years. But it behooves to have your levels checked regularly, esp for the first couple of years, until the dose has been properly adjusted. This can take a while. If you are set too high, you may lose a little weight, but you'll think your heart has jumped into your throat. Calcium supplements are not a bad idea either. Strongly recommend taking the meds at the same time of day. No noticable side effects for me.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Friday, December 24, 2004 - 1:58 am
Thanks, Jackie, that looks like the insert that came with the meds. Lumbele, I know you aren't supposed to take calcium at the same time, would the cream in my am coffee effect it?
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Friday, December 24, 2004 - 10:49 am
Annie, not taking calcium with the Synthroid is new to me. When i was set a little high (to help lose a bit of weight) my doc was concerned for my bones and recommended 2 Tums a day. Where did you hear about the calcium thing?
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Friday, December 24, 2004 - 11:06 am
Several places. One in the handout with the meds and then at thryoid.com
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Fabnsab
Member
08-07-2000
| Saturday, December 25, 2004 - 2:25 am
I take Synthroid. I feel no different and my weight stays the same. I wouldn't even take it but my husband nags me about it.
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Seamonkey
Member
09-07-2000
| Saturday, December 25, 2004 - 3:36 am
Two of my labradors were on it for years.. and each lived to be quite old for labs. They'd take it with wagging tails, but probably because they got good tasting vitamins at the same time.. So the moral is, wag your tail and you'll tolerate it well.. I think you do have to be careful taking calcium at the same time of day as certain meds. And it is also good to take something acidic with your calcium (I take my vitamin C at the same time) but I have to admit with the number of meds I take now (for blood pressure, for cholesterol, for jumpy muscles, for anemia), it is difficult to avoid calcium with somthing.. but I also take the once a week Fosamax for bones..
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Saturday, December 25, 2004 - 7:55 am
I am hoping desperately that it will help change my weight Fab!! Wagging my tail happily!! Fortunately, I have dropped alot of meds so now I am just down to estrogen, synthroid and my vitamins.
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Saturday, December 25, 2004 - 7:01 pm
Geez, I have been popping Tums at random. Thanks for the info guys. Don't think it did any damage though. Feeling fine. Nevertheless, my doc is gonna hear about this one.
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Hootyhoot
Member
12-18-2001
| Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 8:15 am
I started taking Synthroid about 25 years ago ... then the generic Levoxyl, now Levothyroxin ... Back then, I had a physical exam and as a result, was told that my thyroid was underactive and I needed to take a pill daily forever. The doctor said something like, "Now you're not going to be sitting around on the couch feeling tired any more ..." and my response was, "What! I have NEVER sat around at all!" At the time I was married, had a great job, was raising two kids, giving lots of parties, going to school part time, playing cards with friends, etc. Never had complained of anything related to fatigue! So I insisted on seeing a specialist, and when he said I needed the pill, I insisted on a second opinion. That third doctor told me that if I didn't take the medicine, I would get senile very young! I stopped arguing and took the pill! At first, I lost about ten pounds. But over the years it has certainly not kept me from gaining a couple of pounds a year! Aaack.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 9:39 am
I'll take that 10 lb loss. I have had a horrible time losing weight. Thought it was from stopping smoking, then the hysterectomy but I kept gaining even though I run 2 miles every day and eat really well. Combined with bone numbing chills, fatigue, brain fog ect, I knew something was wrong. I had several thyroid tests done of the years and always the baseline came back normal. I finally decided to go to an endocrinologist. (I had also been having rising blood glucose levels). She ran a thyroid stimulation response test and after the first injection my thyroid really bottomed out. So finally proof it wasn't working right!!! AND they did the 3 month glucose test and it came out fine. So glad I went.
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Hypermom
Member
08-13-2001
| Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 10:01 am
Tex, once you are regulated on Synthroid, I'm sure you will drop some pounds. Having a dysfunctional thyroid, messes up your metabolism.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 2:21 pm
Does synthroid make you retain water? I am really puffy and swollen.
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 2:58 pm
Not that I know of, Annie, but if it persists it would be wise to check with your doctor, since often people react differently to meds.
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Jmm
Member
08-16-2002
| Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 3:36 pm
Texannie, I found this: For patients taking this medicine for underactive thyroid: This medicine usually takes several weeks to have a noticeable effect on your condition. Until it begins to work, you may experience no change in your symptoms. Check with your doctor if the following symptoms continue: Clumsiness; coldness; constipation; dry, puffy skin; listlessness; muscle aches; sleepiness; tiredness; weakness; weight gain. Other effects may occur if the dose of the medicine is not exactly right. These side effects will go away when the dose is corrected. Check with your doctor if any of the following symptoms occur: Changes in appetite; changes in menstrual periods; diarrhea; fever; hand tremors; headache; increased sensitivity to heat; irritability; leg cramps; nervousness; sweating; trouble in sleeping; vomiting; weight loss. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 4:06 pm
I know it's kind of hit and miss on finding the right dosage. If you don't have enough, no change. If you have too much it can cause you go to hyperthyroid. I will check with my doc if this continues....or it could be all the wine I have been drinking through out the holidays! LOL
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Lumbele
Member
07-12-2002
| Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 4:31 pm
Annie, sometimes it takes patience to find just the right dose. The first few years I had to go for a thyroid check every 6 months. Too low, increase the meds. Too high, decrease. Back and forth. We started on Eltroxin, but that brand didn't have the smaller dose increments. So I was massacring those tiny pills into halves and quarters, hoping to hack off just the right amount. Although they warn not to switch brands, my doctor finally put me on Synthroid which had the exact dose I needed. She had tried it with other patients and it worked out, so I took the chance, too. Now I have been at the same level for about 8 years. But that doesn't mean regular checks aren't warranted, just not as frequently, once a year, unless things change again. Who knows, maybe you'll get lucky and find the right amount from the get-go. Good luck!
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Wednesday, December 29, 2004 - 4:42 pm
I go back in 6 weeks for a check. From what my research is telling me, my doc started me on a higher end of conservative so hopefully it won't take long to find the right dose.
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Jasper
Member
09-14-2000
| Tuesday, January 11, 2005 - 8:49 am
it took me about a year to get the right level and I took the weight I had gained due to the thyroid issue back off. You shouldn't take a multi with this due to the calcium and iron
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Tuesday, January 11, 2005 - 6:44 pm
Didn't see this thread before today. My doctor started me on synthroid or levothyroxin a few months ago along with an acid reflux medicine. I've had several checks since then on the levels and he has adjusted the dosage. The weight issue has not changed. I sure will be glad when I can get leveled out and start losing, Jasper.
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