Sorry to temporarily morph this thread.
Nick, I've got a book called "Coping with Thyroid Problems" by Dr Joan Gomez.
Firstly, your dr should investigate the cause of your hypo, as it can be due to autoimmune probs (something called Hashimoto's disease), an excess of iodine, the aftermath of inflammation of the thyroid, other medication, diet, starvation (especially lack of carbos) and other illness. I remember having several blood checks in the beginning, especially for Hashimoto's.
Quote:
"If you are over 45 or severely hypo, you must start treatment at a low dose. Your dr will increase this in small steps over weeks and months. It is not worthwhile to test your thyroid status until two months after you have started the treatment. The final dose will depend on how you feel as well as on the test results.
Some people have harmless palpitations when they first take thyroxine. A small dose of a beta-blocker will tide them over the uncomfortable phase, which is temporary and not dangerous. Other people get aching in the muscles, which is similarly temporary, and of no serious significance. Indications that the dose is too high too soon are muscle cramps, angina, shortness of breath or ankle swelling. It is a matter of adjustment."
A frightening fact: there is a rare condition which results from years of shortness of thyroid hormone: psychosis. "The victim may lose contact with reality. She, or less often he, feels puzzled and afraid and thinks that other people are her enemies. Sometimes she believes she can hear them plotting....."
There are probably websites devoted to this subject. I bought the book when I was diagnosed. (Like you, I don't trust doctors, so double-check everything by researching it.)
Nag: GO BACK TO YOUR DOC ASAP!
