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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Blood Test Shows Underactive Thyroid. Light Headed, Breathless. Taken Antibiotics For Chest Infection. How Long To Work?

I recently had a blood test that came back showing I had an underactive thyroid; recently I have been overtired and light headed and breathless , my doctor originally thought it might be a chest infection so he gave me antibiotics which gave me terrible heartburn that resulted in me going to hospital thinking I was having a heart attack where they took a blood test which indicated the underactive thyroid. I have to wait several days before I can see my doctor, I have heard that the medication that you get for hypothyrodism is for life and this concerns me; however walking normal distances, say about a mile gets me very out of breath so I welcome anything that wll sort the problem; how long does it take for the medication to take effect? I read that you have to be titrated to find the correct dosage. I m only 31 and feel like a much older person at the moment and it s causing me no end of anxiety and distraction.
Mon, 18 Feb 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,
Your symptoms of fatigue and tiredness are due to hypothyroidism.
Since there is a deficient production of thyroid hormone,it has to supplemented from outside and that too for life.You would start feeling the effect of medicine in 4 weeks time and all your symptoms due to hypothyoroidism shall take 4 to 6 months to settle.
You are correct that the correct dosage has to be titrated by regular estimation of TSH levels every 4 to 6 weeks and modifying the dosage accordingly.
There is no need to develop any anxiety or stress due to your hypothyroidism.
Thanks
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Blood Test Shows Underactive Thyroid. Light Headed, Breathless. Taken Antibiotics For Chest Infection. How Long To Work?

Hello, Your symptoms of fatigue and tiredness are due to hypothyroidism. Since there is a deficient production of thyroid hormone,it has to supplemented from outside and that too for life.You would start feeling the effect of medicine in 4 weeks time and all your symptoms due to hypothyoroidism shall take 4 to 6 months to settle. You are correct that the correct dosage has to be titrated by regular estimation of TSH levels every 4 to 6 weeks and modifying the dosage accordingly. There is no need to develop any anxiety or stress due to your hypothyroidism. Thanks