Thyroid Off; Med Adjustment

 So hello there friends, I think I now have some explanation for why I have been feeling low-level depressed, no motivation, trouble with cooking, and unable to lose weight: my TSH thyroid level was 3.4 and it’s supposed to be closer to 1.0! Dr. Levy ordered a blood draw for me last month to check my Depakote levels and asked for a TSH reading, and caught the problem.

Now I already have an appointment to see my endocrinologist John Larrimer on January 28, but I spoke to him on the phone to relay this finding and he upped my Synthroid dose from 100 mcg/day to 125 mcg/day. I take Synthroid to manage my Graves Disease. Dr. Larrimer said when he last tested my TSH in July it was 0.7. Not sure why it has risen so much? Was it quitting that 12 piece a day nicotine gum habit? Or was it lowering the Risperdal from 4 mg to 3.75 mg/day? Or is it just unknown? 

Whatever the reason, I’m now waking up at 8 every morning to take my Synthroid, then waiting an hour to take the rest of my morning meds and have breakfast. I found out from Dr. Larrimer that I have been taking my Synthroid wrong for over two decades; what I had been doing was taking it with all my pills then eating breakfast. No, that’s incorrect! So now I’m on the right path.

It’s been three days of this new dosing regimen and already I’m feeling better. I’ve even dropped 2 lbs. despite eating a lot of fattening fettuccine Alfredo last night. I want to get moving, get out of my chair and go somewhere! I feel like I’m gaining some energy and it’s a miracle come true! Trying hard not to get overly excited, but I’m feeling good and hopeful. 

Next week I start the morning fitness class at the rec center. This was therapist Matt’s suggestion, but I’m the one who put it into action by signing up for the class. I’m hopeful I’ll have some morning motivation and energy to stick with this class through the coming months. I’ve got this overall goal of wanting to lose 30 lbs. and I need to do this through diet and exercise. Currently I’m on a 1650-calorie day diet, and I’m planning on getting exercise 5 days a week. I’m going to try and stick with this as long as I can. 

So this is my update for now. Signing off for now. Ciao!