Thyroxine trial... what to expect?

March 2, 2012

I saw a Dr here in Brunei today and explained all my symptoms, the family

history of hypo, and showed the blood tests results from December (among them

ferritin 58; B12- 219 (ref range 185 +); Free T4 13.5 (9-25); Free T3- 4.2 (3.5

- 6.5)). Based on feedback on the forum, I know that all of those are too low,

and started taking 310mg a day of ferrous fumerate and a B complex, but can't

get the 1000mcg sublingual B12 here, and was hoping the Dr might be able to

prescribe it for me.

I think I was hoping that she would say yes, supplement the B12 and iron and

that will make everything else work and you'll be ok... naive, i know, but it

would have been great!

She did listen carefully and take notice of my symptom checklist and family

history, as well as all the test results, but she said that although a lot of

the results were not high, they were not low enough to be the real cause of

concern, and she cautioned against taking high doses of iron due to possible

liver and pancreas damage, as well as saying that too much B12 was not a good

thing either (I actually thought it was one of the ones you can't have too much

of?).

She said that given my symptoms and family history she would trial me on a low

dose of Thyroxine for a month and then get bloods done again and see if there

was any improvement in anything. I did say that if there was any way the

supplement route would work I would rather try that first and she said she

thought Thyroxine was the best option.

Given that she's the only dr I have seen who has even acknowledged the

possibility of a thyroid issue, I feel this is progress, but i'm now a bit

apprehensive about taking the medication, even though it's only 25mcg a day - I

just don't like taking medication at all, but I have to see if this will help.

So.... can anyone tell me what's a reasonable expectation over the course of a

month in terms of improvement in symptoms, and any potential side effects?

Also, is there anything I shouldn't take with them? Am I ok to continue with

all the vits and the high iron I am taking, all at the same time every day? She

said I should take the Thyroxine 1/2 hr before breakfast, which is when i

currently take the iron, with the rest of the supplements following with brekky

- is this all ok?

Thanks a million for any advice you have... I feel on the one hand today was a

major result but on the other hand I am left feeling very anxious, so any info

will be great reassurance.

Thanks,

Recommended Posts