[James]

#1063530

Hi Krystal,

If you have only been on ATD medication for three weeks total, that isn’t a very long time in the whole scheme of things. You probably shouldn’t expect to feel that much of a difference quite so soon. From my experience it was more like 2 – 3 months before I really started feeling better. For some people it may take even longer. I can understand that you are very concerned on all fronts, but rest assured it does get better in time. Concerning your question about having blood work in the normal range, but still feeling GD symptoms. There is a wide range of “normal”. What many of us do is request a copy of all of our labs each time. It is my understanding that you may be require to sign a release before your Dr. will release the labs, so make sure you get this signed. Keep a diary of how you feel at those levels, what symptoms you are feeling and the amount of ATD you are on during that time. That way in time you can tweak your meds to the point where you feel your absolute best. During the initial stages of GD, your Dr. should be testing for TSH, FT3, & FT4 at a minimum. Many patients that I chatted with at the GD conference this past weekend agreed that it took time to find the right level, so you would be in good company. In there are other health issues at play, your Dr. will have to sort through those with you. Right now, just get those levels in check to YOUR normal level. This may take a little time, but it will come.

Wishing you the absolute best.

James

[Bobbi]

#1063531

Hi,, Krystal:

The thyroid not only makes thyroid hormone, it also stores it for future use. The drug you’re on helps to stop the manufacture of "new" hormone, but does nothing with the stored supplies. Until those stored supplies are used up, you won’t feel a whole lot different, because your thyroid cells will still be pouring out hormone. It takes a while longer than three weeks for us to start feeling the results of the drug, even though it starts working right away.

It also takes time AT normal levels of hormone for our bodies to heal from the effects of being hyperthyroid. So don’t expect to "feel" normal when you first reach normal levels. As James indicated, it takes some months.

[Krystal25]

#1018253

Hello,

So I have been taking my ATD medication for the past 3 weeks. I have some better days and still have many bad days. I am nervous for my upcoming blood work which will let me know where my levels are. What if the blood work comes back that I’m again within normal range, but still feeling many symptoms of GD still present? Then I will really feel as though I am going nuts. Can anyone share insight on their past experiences with lab results? I am wondering if I test within the normal range if that means that I should automatically feel better? Which would then lead me to believe that something else may be wrong? Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks,

Krystal

[Author]

Posts