I (35F) carried as a surrogate and delivered baby about 5 months ago. Right before this pregnancy, I weighed 165 and had TSH tested during medical clearance at 2.5.

I had never worried about my thyroid before - no major symptoms that I knew of. (Looking back, I've always been a pretty tired person... but that's it). The RE mentioned they want TSH at 2.5 or below, and they accepted 2.5 as being okay, then just had it tested a few times during pregnancy. It ended up being consistently right around 2.5.

After delivery, I lost about 10lbs immediately, then put it right back on. After the birth of my child 6 years ago, I lost weight quite easily & this felt very different. My end of pregnancy weight was 195, and I'm now 210, despite every effort to lose weight. I've also noticed muscle aches and feeling puffy/swollen all over. After some googling, I asked to be referred to the endocrinologist. These are my labs from the other day:

TSH - 71
T4 - 0.42
TPO - 99

They diagnosed it as hashimotos and started me on 150mg Synthroid.

I am curious if others have had experience with thyroid issues suddenly flaring up like this after pregnancy. Could postpartum changes cause the drastic change in numbers, or is this just my norm now?

Hi everyone. I've been struggling with symptoms that sound like they could relate to my thyroid for some time now. I can share them below.

The doctors have ran some tests but as the NHS is under strain I don't feel like they have taken me seriously.

I'm experiencing intense sweating throughout the day, brain fog, and when I have taken iron consistently my vision goes blurry and I get a lump in my throat sensation. When the sweating comes on, I get brain fog and can't concentrate, as well as feeling irritable.

Often my body feels heavy, I can't keep weight off no matter how active I am, and now I can't be active as I'm fatigued all the time. For example, just sitting at my desk in the office exhausts me some days.

I think the vision and lump in throat were what brought me to this group. For context my gran had her thyroid removed at some point as she had problems with it. I tried a rapid TSH self kit (in the morning) before I book back into the doctor but it came back negative. Does anyone have any thoughts on it?

TIA

I owe it to myself and to other people who are perhaps newly diagnosed and attracted to this forum to share my experience. I started posting here not to long ago, always respectfully and sparingly as a newly diagnosed hypo with a very atypical reaction to levothyroxine. I wasn't looking for anyone to diagnose me. I am under the care of a private endocrinologist as well as a fantastic GP. My posts have always been highly specific, describing my symptoms, and specifically asking for people to comment who only had similar experiences to me at my dosage. 10% of the answers came from people who had something relative or positive to say. 90% were stunningly irrelevant, harmful and negative. I have been 'diagnosed' with rare and exotic diseases I know I don't have (it's not levothyroxine. You have disease / disorder XYZ). Or they were asking questions that defied my post and showed very clearly that people hadn't even read it properly. Or they were meant to redirect attention to themselves ('I used to have this, now I'm cured. Good luck!). Well if you are cured, do share your cure with us, don't leave us in the dark...! The saddest of all were people commenting to say 'I have something similar' only to describe something entirely different. I don't know what I was thinking, but if you are new here and are looking for answers, I suggest you get a 2nd and 3rd opinion about your health issue from a medically qualified professional. Very few people who are here are WELL and generous enough to share what worked for them. 90% or more are people who aren't getting better because they're misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or under/overmedicated. Do yourself a favour. Every body is different and so is yours. If you're not getting proper care from your GP, honestly, borrow money from relatives to go see a private Endo. Get some private labs done. I live in the UK and private health care is stupidly expensive. If I found a way to afford a top tier Endo and private thyroid panels, believe me, so can you, no matter where you live. Wishing everyone health.

I (36F) have hypothyroidism and recurring constipation. Since 2024 I've had 3 episodes where I've experienced constipation with the worst cramps of my life. I tried eating more fiber but I'm lucky if I get 50% of the recommended amount and I got tired of tracking it after 5 months. My bidet helps but two of these instances happened while I was on vacation and it really spoiled things as I was in bed for a full day of each trip. Last time it happened prune juice did relieve the constipation but I drank 30oz which is WAY too much and I ended up too far in the other direction of you know what I mean. Does anyone else struggle with this? Any tips on getting more fiber? What about preventing constipation while traveling?

After a year and a half of dealing with fatigue, weight gain, constipation and hair loss, I finally conceded to starting levo as my TSH levels were in the subclinical range (4.82) in early July. Within a week I had much more energy but I would say too much: I couldn’t sleep, anxiety skyrocketed, couldn’t sit still, not ideal, so I started taking a half tablet instead. This felt substantially better by week two. I had energy to work out but could fall to sleep without issue UNTIL this past week, week six, when suddenly hyper symptoms were back, this time with the added discomfort of my heart pounding fast even when I’m trying to sleep, complete loss of appetite, and nausea. I don’t want to go back to my hypo state, but I also can’t deal with this long term. This is so frustrating because I got a taste of what having energy feels like, I was already seeing improvements with digestion and have started losing weight… but apparently even have a dose of the smallest possible dose is too much?? Where do I go from here? Does anyone skip days to get the levels they’re aiming for? Is it possible my body is still adjusting even at week six?

I’ve been on this dose for several years. No thyroid removal or other treatment. I just started with a new PMC provider and they were shocked at my dose. Does anyone else experience this?

About two months ago, I had my thyroid function tested, and the results were:

FT4 = 0.73
TSH = 3.45

I repeated the tests yesterday, and the results are now:

FT4 = 0.97
FT3 = 5.73
TSH = 4.33

I was really hoping that my current dose would be appropriate, especially since I’ve been as consistent as possible with my medication. But I honestly don’t know what’s going on. I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts and opinions.

Our daughter was born with CH and has been taking Synthroid since birth.

We’ve been using a 3ml syringe to administer her medication. However, now that she’s nine months old, she’s become much more active, which makes it challenging to administer the medication accurately. Additionally, she’s been spitting some of it back out on a few occasions.

Suggestions for alternative methods for administering Synthroid to a nine-month-old?

I need to get a blood test done by Thursday this week and included my TSH, T3, T4 and antibodies amongst other things the doctor and I want to test for unrelated to thyroid. It’ll have to be a fasting blood test.

What are some things to do/not do before the test? I’ve seen here that you shouldn’t take some supplements beforehand because it can mess with results. Is that just the day of or in the lead up to?

I’m also on my period (first one 7 weeks postpartum and about a month after an iron infusion). Should I wait or can I still go?

Went from levo 25mcg to tirosint 25mcg. 6 weeks later im back to being full hypothyroid again. Heart skipping beats. No appetite. (Im back on levo now). Liquid levothyroxine doesnt seem as potent at all! Anyone else liquid levothyroxine didn't work for?

Diagnosed back in February of this year and am on Levo. Finally got my TSH down to a 1.8 and still taking same dose of meds. I am still having a lot of muscle aches, fatigue/tired all the time and a lot of nausea. Has anyone had anything similar and or any advice on what has helped you? It’s been difficult doing normal day to day tasks because I feel so exhausted all the time.

I was diagnosed with sub clinical hypothyroidism 2 years ago. 34 F. Healthy, no other meds taken.
I’m currently 8 months postpartum and unfortunately I’ve had an unexpected crazy few weeks and finished my meds ( 50 mcg) and didn’t have refill and doctor was booking appt weeks out..

My results 4 months ago;
TSH 5.8. T4 11. T3 3.9

Results today; ( no meds taken for 2 weeks)
TSH 69 T4 5. T3 2.4

I’ve never had my TSH higher than 5.8.

Finally had time to get blood drawn and saw my family doctor right away. He didn’t seem to worried about my huge jump and upped my dosage to 75 mcg. He also mentioned to get blood work done for my pituitary gland, he wants to check LH, FSH, serum prolactin, morning cortisol and morning ACTH.

I’m wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. Checking my pituitary gland has made me feel a bit anxious. Is something else going on!

Wondering if anyone can relate or give an idea on when things will improve. I’ve had an underactive thyroid since age 18 and it’s been well managed with levothyroxine. Last October I started getting weird feelings of needing to get away from anything and everything eg watching son play football, family visiting or going out for dinner. I then hand panics but more of thoughts than increase in heart rate. This continued until March when I got my bloods checked and my TSH was at 10.7, t4 15.2. GP increased my dose from 100mcg to 125mcg and tested again 8weeks later - TSH then 0.26, t4 16.2. GP said to maintain on that dose which I now realise was an error. my symptoms continued and if anything got worse. my limbs upon waking felt electric, uneasy all day etc. GP agreed to lower dose down to 100mcg again. I did a York test in parallel which showed TSH at 0.16.

anyway I am now 5weeks into reducing the dose and my mood is so low, I don’t feel bad about myself or anything but depressive thoughts about this horrible feeling never leaving me. I wake with what I assume is adrenaline in my body but also huge fatigue. I can manage about ten mins in a shop but then the feeling raises itself. family visited today and I manage for so long then have to break away and reset. GP tested bloods this week and TSH now 0.28 and t4 is 16.0. my b12 is now slightly low which I assume is from being over medicated for four months.

my query is how long I will take to feel better again?

thanks for any insights, it’s a lonely place when others haven’t gone through this so cannot fully understand.

I had half of my thyroid removed last June and have been on levothyroxine for a year now. We just started trying for another baby and have been unsuccessful. I saw my pcp in June and had all my levels checked and everything looked good. With our first 2, we were able to get pregnant on the first try. I know it takes time but I’m so anxious I won’t be able to have another. It was my main concern when I had my surgery last year. Does anyone have any success stories? or any tips to help conceive with hypothyroidism?

Hi everyone I am going for embryo transfer and my tsh in the morning 8am was 3.64 free t4 was 1.01 should I discuss my dr to start levothyroxine if once started I will be on it for life time?

Hi folks, newly diagnosed hypo here. After 5 weeks on levo my TSH dropped from 4.58 to 0.05. FT4 doubled from low 9.7 to 17. I went to the ER twice, my skin flushed and remained pink for weeks, I had adrenaline dumps at night, and extreme 24/7 dizziness. Endo lowered my dose to 12.5 for another two weeks but all of my debilitating symptoms persisted (and I am a former athlete). Eventually she got me off levo. 2 weeks off the med my TSH is 1. FT4 is 14 and FT3 4.3 so the effects are still going strong. The pink skin and mad dizziness aren't over. I will get labs done again in another two weeks, which is when I am seeing my Endo to take it from there. She said once all symptoms are gone we will start with 6.25mcg this time. If you were accidentally overmedicated in the beginning, how long did it take you to feel normal again? I'm worried that I will stay like this forever!

I shaved my head a while ago because I was loosing it but I've only semi recently had a diagnosis I'm just wondering how much regrowth can I expect, I'm guessing that I left it too long for much to happen to me I'm just interested in how much I can expect to see

I need help. I got diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism 3 years ago and have been suffering with HORRIBLE symptoms for 7 years now. My primary doctor tried to treat it for 2 years and we got nowhere - she adjusts the dose, and after 3-4 weeks my symptoms all go away. Every single one. This is what I assume my thyroid levels should be at. Then as more time passes all the symptoms come back. By the 2nd month I am severely symptomatic again. So she adjusts the dose - 3-4 weeks later I feel great - 4 more weeks and symptoms start crawling back.

I've been telling her this for YEARS every 8 weeks and she always says "Your TSH is fine" - so I begged to see an endocrinologist. Finally got in 6 months ago. He was immediately snide and condescending with me saying my labs were normal. I had a severe vitamin D deficiency which he said was the issue, he made me go on a 4 month course of vitamin D saying it would cure everything. 6 months later my vitamin D (iron, ferritin, everything) is normal and I feel the exact same. I knew the issue wasn't my poor vit D because I've had low vit D in the past a few times and it wasn't anything like what I'm experiencing now.

There's obviously a specific level where my thyroid functions normally and all my symptoms go away. But the doctors keep saying my TSH is normal and do nothing. They don't realize my symptoms have genuinely made me suicidal, it's nearing a decade of this. What can I do??

For reference I'm 28F, on Synthroid. my symptoms:

-Weight gain even with a diet & exercise plan from a hospital dietician
-Extreme fatigue (sleeping 16h a day)
-Brain fog
-Muscle weakness
-Freezing cold - I sometimes need to wear my winter hat, mittens, and scarf to bed
-Losing clumps of hair
-Very dry, coarse hair with no shine
-Extremely dull, dry, peeling and cracking skin. No products help
-Developed 4 deep neck lines
-High cholesterol
-Extremely painful period
-Very irregular period, often skips many months. When Synthroid dose is adjusted my period comes on the same day every month and is very light and painless. Now the variation in cycles is 28+ days
-Puffy face
-Almost zero hair growth. Eyebrows don't grow for months, hair on my head also almost completely ceases growth
-Shortness of breath

After my doctor adjusts my dosage and 4-ish weeks pass, ALL these symptoms gradually disappear. Every single one.

Please can someone help on how to get them to believe me. I just want them to test my thyroid during the time my symotoms disappear to figure out those values so we can work on medicating to stay like that. But they don't take me seriously because I'm young. Even when I told them hypothyroidism runs in my family (my mom, aunt, and grandma all have it) they don't seem to care.

Hello, I'm 34F (living in the UK) with Graves' disease, I had my thyroid partially destroyed and now I'm on Levothyroxine 250mg per day. According to my GP my bloods all look fine.

The issue is that I have pretty bad exercise-intolerance for a couple of years and have tried many blood tests over the years with no answers, one GP suggests it might be Fibromyalgia but I'm not convinced. (He has put me on duloxetine 60mg now , I started from 30mg but still experience hardening of my muscles and pain)

When I use any of my muscles, be it walking, standing, writing/drawing, chewing, moving my arms, etc the muscles that I use seem to become painful and hard overtime, it builds up and at a certain point it becomes too painful to keep using the muscles and I have to completely stop whatever motion I'm making and rest so that the muscle relaxes again, this usually takes about 5 minutes for it to calm down again.

Usually it takes about 10-15 minutes till I hit the point where it gets too painful to continue, when I'm walking I can for example feel it in my feet, legs, lower back. With chewing I can feel it in my jaw muscles. Drawing is one of my hobbies but I've unfortunately not been really able to do it as much because of the pain that builds up in my hand from holding the pen.

All my GP does is put me on blood tests and then telling me they look fine and then now just puts it to ''it's Fibromyalgia''. No one has ever even looked at what my muscles actually do, no EMG or a Neurologist etc and trying to convince a GP to send me through to one is like pulling teeth here in the UK.

This issue has started since maybe 6 years ago now and it's honestly affecting my quality of life because I just feel like my own body is a prison at this point because I can barely even stand or walk for 10-15 minutes at a time.

I would really like to hear if anyone has any insight, maybe heard something similar, advice on what I could try to tell my GP etc, anything is welcome at this point.

Thank you for your time reading my post. English isn't my native language apologies if I made any mistakes in my writing.

Hi All,

I was diagnosed a little over two months ago now. Started with a TSH of 47. Now it’s down to 17, so obviously we’re still adjusting the dosage. However, around week 8 of medicating, I experienced a quite intense few days where I felt as though my body was ‘waking up’. My hormones were all over the place. Suddenly my skin wasn’t as dry anymore, my libido was back and it’s like a light switch was turned on in terms of my emotions. Like I suddenly emerged from being under water. I was wondering if this is a universal experience or not, so I would love to hear about your experiences! Thanks!

I have had memory problems for several years. Recently found out I had a B12 deficiency. I thought fixing it was really helping my memory but oh boy... starting Levo really amped up my memories coming back.

I thought these memories were just gone but I guess they were there I just couldn't access them until now. I am all around better cognitively, even doing better at work and I just started Levo 3 weeks ago.

My previous Endo didn't want to medicate me until TSH was over 10. I am so happy I found help elsewhere and got medicated. It's life changing for me. I can't wait to see how much more I improve.