Low Thyroid, Bydureon & Anemic questions

[Success2013 186]

I called my surgeon because I have been EXTREMELY sleepy, needing 10 hours of sleep or I'm a zombie all day and I feel frustrated that I've only lost 2 pounds that past 3 weeks and it's only been 11 weeks since my surgery. I lost 15 pounds the 1st month, 10 pounds the 2nd month and as of this morning it looks like a total of 3 pounds so far this 3rd month, but it keeps bouncing up and down. My surgeons office said that since I was a self pay, that I should go to my pcp and ask them to do blood work. So instead of calling my PCP, I called my Endocronologist (thyroid doc). Had my apt. yesterday with my thyroid doc.

1. my lab work showed that my TSH was low, it was 0.032 and it should be between .358 and 3.74.

2. Also my WBC (white blood cell) was low, 4.3 and should be 5.0-10.0.

3. And my RDWSD was high at 52.2 and should be between 36.4-46.3. And my RDWCV (red blood) was high, 16.4 and should be 11.5-14.5.

4. He also said my Vitamin D was a little low for a thyroid patient, but my B12 was high (probably because I take the 5000mcg every day)

5. And he said my Iron was low, but didn't say what I should do about that. I'm wondering if it could be because I have not been getting hardly any veggies or fruits, i've been focusing on Protein. Any suggestions? I take my 2 Multivitamins and B12 every day.

6. I told him I have to take Unisom or Benadryl every night to sleep and he said that consistent use of Benadryl (antihistamines) can cause weight gain and that because I grind my teeth (badly) I'm not getting through all the sleep cycles. He prescribed Klonopin .5mg for me to try instead.

He raised my synthroid from .088mcg to .112mcg. I'm wondering if this will help my weight loss and my energy????

He also prescribed weekly shots of Bydureon. I'm a little nervous about starting these. Is anyone else on this medicine? I tried Byetta several years ago, but they made me very nauseous when I started the higher dose and couldn't take them. He said this newer drug has less side effects.

Sorry this is soooooo long, but I know I can count on all the wonderful friends from this forum to share their experience or their expertise if they are a nurse or doctor. I hope this may help some others on here as well. Thanks so much!

[nadoue 158]

Klonopin is a wonderful drug minus the dragging ass of course. I used it for my insomnia and I can definitely agree that you will be sleeping. Just take it one hour before bedtime and sleep early so you won't feel dizzy etc in am. Yoga does help

[Success2013 186]

Klonopin is a wonderful drug minus the dragging ass of course. I used it for my insomnia and I can definitely agree that you will be sleeping. Just take it one hour before bedtime and sleep early so you won't feel dizzy etc in am. Yoga does help

Thanks, I only took half last night and it got me to sleep, but I only slept 5 hours and then I was wide awake. Seems like I tried this years ago and it made me groggy the next day if I took the whole tablet and half wasn't enough. UGH! It's sad that I can relate to what Michael Jackson went through to get a decent nights sleep. I have some nights where no matter what I take, I stay awake all night. This happens about once a month. Need to maybe try Ambien or Lunesta again.

[Success2013 186]

Are there any nurses who may have answers to my questions? I would greatly appreciate it.

[deedadumble 1,033]

I don't understand why your doc increased your Synthroid. A low TSH means that you are getting too high of a dose.

[nadoue 158]

Actually her doc is right, it is easier to control a high thyroid function than the low. By making you hyper, they will be able to regulate your dosage better. Thyroid result are inverse relationship. I can tell you from a nurse point of view, your doc is good.

[deedadumble 1,033]

Nadou, do you have a resource where I can read about managing a low TSH by increasing Synthroid? I've had Hashimoto's for 30 years and I'm always looking for new information. I've always been told by my endo that a TSH less than .3 means that I need to decrease my meds. Too low a TSH can cause heart palpitations and insomnia and for some, exhaustion and fatigue. I'm on 137mcg.

[BigFatLoser 331]

I don't understand why your doc increased your Synthroid. A low TSH means that you are getting too high of a dose.

This is true.

[nadoue 158]

Like I said before, when you are low, it's an emergency cause it starts to affect your heart, level of consciousness, put you into a dementia like, all you basically have to do is keep taking your med as ordered usually early in am, keep monitoring your level. Of course you gotta avoid certain foods but most likely be happy to be hyper until your doc finds your happy medium. I will look into a short sweet book for you !

[Success2013 186]

Actually her doc is right' date=' it is easier to control a high thyroid function than the low. By making you hyper, they will be able to regulate your dosage better. Thyroid result are inverse relationship. I can tell you from a nurse point of view, your doc is good.[/quote']

I know the last time I was pregnant they explained to me that you kind of do the opposite with your synthroid dosage of what you would think. I hope he was right, as you said, in increasing my dosage.

[deedadumble 1,033]

Here's a pretty good guide to understanding the TSH test: http://labtestinterpreter.about.com/od/Diagnoses/tsh.htm

[Success2013 186]

Here's a pretty good guide to understanding the TSH test: http://labtestinterpreter.about.com/od/Diagnoses/tsh.htm

From what I'm reading, the doctor should have decreased my dosage. Unless he is looking at my overall health and other test. I'm confused.

[deedadumble 1,033]

I would just call him to get clarification. He may have a good reason for it. do you have Hashimoto's?

[Success2013 186]

is anyone taking Bydureon shots? I'm not sure if I should.

[patrona 7]

I would check with your doctor again. Tsh blood tests are backwards. When the number is low your level is high( hyperthyroid) you are getting to much thyroid they usually decrease your dose. When your level is high you are not getting enough thyroid( hypothyroid) and then they increase your dose. Hypothyroid can cause weight gain, hyperthyroid weight loss. Both can make you tired.