2 Months, 13 Days on Medication

Hi Everyone!  Popping into this part of my blog to give an update on where I stand with my diagnosis and medication.

It has been 2 months and 13 days since I started taking my Synthroid to treat my Central Hypothyroidism.  A lot has changed, yet not so much has changed, but I'll fill you in.

Dosage:  Despite the fact that my doc had kicked me up from 25 mcg/day to 75 mcg/day, I was still gaining weight.  Even though my blood tests came back normal, he didn't feel comfortable at 75 mcg/day so he kicked me up to 100 mcg/day.  I am now starting my third week on the 100 mcg/day dosage.  I take only the name brand, Synthroid because at such small levels of medication, a slight change in a generic could mean big problems for me.

Sleeping:  I'm not even half as tired as I used to be.  If I get a good 8 hours of sleep the night before, I can go until midnight and sometimes later.  I find myself very tired about once a week and need to spend a good day taking naps, but its nothing like the endless days of walking around like a zombie, just waiting to get into my bed.

Weight:  I believe I've lost about 2 lbs since I started the 100 mcg/day dosage.  I don't expect the weight to come off quickly but.....

Exercise:  After months of despair and sheer exhaustion, I am back at the gym everyday.  I tried to go back in September but ended up re-injuring an old injury and had to use a brace and crutches.   I'm walking 2 miles a day on the treadmill.  I plan on doing this at least 5 days a week.  I always take 600 mg's of Ibuprofin about an hour before I go to the gym so that I'm not feeling the pain.

Alertness, Mental Health, and Memory:  Simply because I am awake more, I am far more alert.  My memory hasn't improved much more, but its getting there.  I am able to handle stressful situations a lot easier and don't find myself depressed as often. 

Hoarse Voice:  My voice is changing with the meds.  I always sounded like a 5 year old on the phone before (lisp and all), so I'm not really complaining about this.  Could do with a little less scratchiness - am trying to solve that with tea and honey.

Constipation:  I know this is a really "crappy" thing to talk about, but I can finally "go" again without the aid of laxatives and all kinds of other stuff that I shouldn't even be talking about at the age of 31!!!  Needless to say, while it is embarassing to talk about, I think its important that people know that constipation is a symptom of Central Hypothyroidism.  Even with an intake of 40+ grams of fiber per day, I couldn't "go".  So, if you have this problem, along with other problems mentioned in the symptoms section of this page, PLEASE go seen an endocronologist!

Puffy Face:  I don't know if the puffiness was from getting heavier or just that bloated puffiness, but that is starting to go down a bit.  I expect it to go down more as I lose some of this weight and as the higher dosage of medication starts to kick in!

Wardrobe:  My wardrobe options still suck BIG TIME!  But, I refuse to buy a whole new set of clothes when I know - deep down in my heart- that with my medication and a little bit of discipline, I can lose every pound that I put on from this illness.  There will be no "fat, fatter, and fattest" section in my closet.  I will wear uncomfortable clothes before I give myself license to regain excessive weight.  I will wear my non-elastic clothing again one day!!!

Well!  That's it for my update!  I hope the information that I provide is helpful to someone out there!