[Anonymous]

#1020152

Just wondering if anyone knows how long it takes to begin to feel some relief from the synthroid? I know it is 6 wks for it to take its full effect, but how long b4 I can see some of my energy back? thanx all

Renee

[Anonymous]

#1076149

The replacement hormone starts to work immediately: not that we necessarily “feel” it. But unless you are started on a very small dose, with plans to move you up incrementally, it is possible that you are on a dose that supplies your daily needs. (If you are started on a dose that provides too large a dose, though, you could remain hyperthroid, so you would not feel well then, either.)

The replacement hormone has a half-life of six and three-quarters days — so any of it that is not used one day, can be available for your body to use later. That does mean that the dose “builds up” in the body, but it may build up more quickly than six weeks time.

The six weeks mark is typically the soonest that our doctors are willing to retest our thyroid levels to see how a dose of replacement hormone is working. The reason for this is that the doctors rely most heavily on the TSH reading, which is sort of a “moving average” of thyroid hormone levels. It takes a minimum of six weeks (but preferably three months) for our TSH to catch up with our thyroid hormone levels.

The thing is this: do not expect the replacement hormone to work instantly to make you feel well again. It does not, even if you are getting the right amount from the very start. Our bodies need time AT normal levels of thyroid hormone in order to heal. Some folks, who may have been ill less long, or less severely than others may feel “well” again rather quickly. But my GP suggested it takes MONTHS, not days or weeks, before someone should feel “normal” after effective treatment for hyperthyroidism.

Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1076150

Hi all. Glad someone else started this Synthroid thread as I was looking on other groups and they always say to skip the morning dose of medication (Synthroid or Armour) on the day of a doctor’s appointment to get a more accurate blood test reading. Obviously if it’s in our system, skipping one dose wont bring it down that much and why would one want to do that if the doctor appointment is in the afternoon (let’s say 3pm). Isn’t it dangerous to just skip the dose to get a more accurate blood test reading? Could one of the moderators help me out on understanding this?

thanks
Kim

[Anonymous]

#1076151

Hi Kim,

My former endo used to ask me to have my blood drawn first thing in the morning, BEFORE I took my daily dose (not to skip it, but not to take it until my blood had been drawn). I cannot give his reasoning with absolute certainty, I only know what he asked me to do.

My current physician just recommends having my blood taken at roughly the same time of day each time, so the reference point for all my test results is similar.

I guess my point is that, for me, across a couple of doctors, there has been no “standard” on this issue. Ask the people who are recommending this for their rationale ~ then ask your doctor about it, to see if the doctor believes their rationale has some credibility.

The difference between the time of day of your appointment vs. the blood draw shouldn’t alter anything ~ as a matter of fact, I typically have blood drawn days before I see the doctor, to make sure the results will be available so we can discuss them. Things shouldn’t change that dramatically through the day, or even over a few days.

It’s probably best to discuss everything you’ve heard with your physician, and see what they think of it. And asking the same questions of multiple doctors may be even more enlightening, so if you’re interested, definitely get a few opinions.

~Ski
NGDF Assistant Online Facilitator

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