More Help with Thyroidism

[Guest guest]

I wrote the other day about my son, Ronnie 20 months with DS.

He has hypothyroidism and after 3 months on syntroid 25 micro I still

don't see the improvements I feel I should. Well, I talked to the

doctor today and he said that my son is making the hormone, but just

has a harder time getting it in his system. He said he will see him

Monday and then maybe send him for more blood work. He doesn't think

his problems are from the thyroid. (dry skin, cradle cap, not

crawling or walking or holding a bottle yet, tired)

Ronnie's numbers where TSH 10.45 before syntroid 8.81 after 6 wks

normal range I was told was .27 -

4.20

T4 8.2 with in normal range of 6.8 to 13.5

FreeT4 1.4 within normal range of .81 to 1.68

Does anyone understand this or is it just me? I have looked up

several web sites. Written to a doctor on line (he is 3 wks behind

in answers though).

I would really appreciate it if anyone could explain it more to me.

I am going early Monday and want to be educated so I know what to

demand be done. Our doctor is really great, but maybe he doesn't

understand it. I think he is just seeing us to appease me, but I

want more done. It seems like it should be such an easy thing to get

into range, but then if the hormone is normal what the heck is the

TSH so high for and what is the difference between TSH, T4 and

FreeT4. Who knew that having kids meant we where going to take crash

courses in medicine. Does anyone have any knowledge? I would really

appreciate it. Thanks mom to Ronnie 20 months (DS), 3

years, and 16 years

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I personally do not have any experience with hypothyroidism, looked up an

Aussie Medical page, have pasted some info I felt may be relevant. From

what I have gathered, it takes time for the body to adjust to changes in

thyroid levels. Be patient with your Doctor but certainly let him/her know

how you are feeling and ask where you can get hold of some reading material

to help you understand.

Keep smiling

Jan, mother of Trent 21yo w/DS from the LandDownUnder

It takes time for the body to adjust

You will unfortunately not feel the effect of Oroxine in 10 days. The levels

of T3 and T4 in the blood change very slowly. Half of the T4 you take today

will still be in your blood in a week. It is also common to start on a low

(and probably insufficient) dose and to then increase it slowly with blood

tests every four to six weeks. You are, therefore, unlikely to feel any

effect for a few weeks and it will probably be three to six months before

you really feel better. Some people can take even longer than this

It takes time to get the hormone doses right

Your doctor will be ordering regular blood tests to check how your TSH

(thyroid stimulating hormone), free T4 (thyroxine) and free T3

(triiodothyronine) levels are going. The first test should be done about a

month to six weeks after starting to take thyroxine. Your dose may then be

increased, in which case you should have another blood test about a month to

six weeks later. It can take some time for your doctor to establish your

correct dose of thyroxine.

The simple rules to remember are:

You should ensure that you have your TSH, free T4 and free T3 tested

whenever you have a blood test.

You should get a photocopy of your test results from your doctor and check

to see where your levels lie in the reference ranges.

You are likely to have far fewer symptoms if your free T4 levels are in the

upper third of the reference range. (If you have symptoms and your levels

are in the lower half of the reference ranges, discuss increasing your dose

with your doctor.)

In the meantime, remember that you have been ill and treat yourself kindly.

Try to be patient, as it will take time for you to feel better. Explain your

situation to others. Rest if you feel tired. If you feel you would like to

speak to someone who understands, give us a ring at Thyroid Australia.

More Help with Thyroidism

I wrote the other day about my son, Ronnie 20 months with DS.

He has hypothyroidism and after 3 months on syntroid 25 micro I still don't

see the improvements I feel I should. Well, I talked to the doctor today

and he said that my son is making the hormone, but just has a harder time

getting it in his system. He said he will see him Monday and then maybe

send him for more blood work. He doesn't think his problems are from the

thyroid. (dry skin, cradle cap, not crawling or walking or holding a bottle

yet, tired)

Ronnie's numbers where TSH 10.45 before syntroid 8.81 after 6 wks

normal range I was told was .27 -

4.20

T4 8.2 with in normal range of 6.8 to 13.5

FreeT4 1.4 within normal range of .81 to 1.68

Does anyone understand this or is it just me? I have looked up several web

sites. Written to a doctor on line (he is 3 wks behind in answers though).

I would really appreciate it if anyone could explain it more to me.

I am going early Monday and want to be educated so I know what to demand be

done. Our doctor is really great, but maybe he doesn't understand it. I

think he is just seeing us to appease me, but I want more done. It seems

like it should be such an easy thing to get into range, but then if the

hormone is normal what the heck is the TSH so high for and what is the

difference between TSH, T4 and FreeT4. Who knew that having kids meant we

where going to take crash courses in medicine. Does anyone have any

knowledge? I would really appreciate it. Thanks mom to Ronnie 20

months (DS), 3 years, and 16 years

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