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Doctors Lounge - Endocrinology Answers
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| llyr8
- Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:50 pm |
|
Hello,
I am a 41 year old Caucasian female who was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism approximately 2 months ago.
My TSH at the time of diagnosis was at 7.54, and so my primary put me on 25 micrograms of levothyroxin.
This past week I visited my primary for my two month follow up and my blood tests revealed that my TSH is now in the normal range at 2.25.
My doctor was pleased with the test results and wants me to continue at the 25 microgram strength. I am to see him again in about 3 to 4 months.
Anyway... while I am now feeling really good (lots of physical energy, less aches and pains, etc ), the medicine is causing me to have severe insomnia.
It seems that while I have no trouble falling asleep, I can only stay asleep for 3 - 4 hours before I am wide awake again. When this happens, getting back to sleep is next to impossible.
This insomnia will last for approx. 5 to 8 nights before I am able to sleep one night for a full 8 hours. Then the insomnia starts back up again.
I told my doctor about this issue but he wants me to continue with the medicine.
So my questions to the board are the following:
1. How long will it take for my my body to adapt to this medication?
2. I take this med in the morning approx 1 hour before breakfast, should I try taking it in the afternoon or evening?
Thanks,
Cricket
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| Dr. Chan Lowe
- Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:55 pm |
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 Hi llyr8,
Insomnia is a reported side effect of synthetic thyroid hormone. I am not certain how long this side effect can last but I suspect that it will wear off as your body gets used to being at normal thyroid levels again.
If it is persisting I would recommend you contact your doctor again. Unfortunately, thyroid hormone is very important to the body so you need to take it. The trick will be minimizing the side effects for you. Rarely, people have not been able to tolerate the synthetic thyroid hormone and need to change to a different formulation.
Best wishes.
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