What Causes Fluctuations In Thyroid Levels Despite Taking Medication?

Posted on Sun, 8 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 8 May 2016 Answered on

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a marathon runner - I have been on synthroid for 30 years. For 12 I took .200 mg - over a year ago my OB took me off prempro - all my symptoms retuened so he put me back on prempro - in the middle of this my thyroid test were low so my doctor reduce my med to .160 - then it went too high so he increase to .175 - (that took 5 months). I even switched doctors (my family doc was treating me) last fall my new doctor said all my levels were fine - now I'm high again & he increased back to .200 - it's been 4 days - when will I start to feel better - I think I actually feel worse - but with only 4 days on new does couldn't be medication yet??

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
should take some more time

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

Increasing dose of synthyroid should take some time to act, 10 days at least.

You have mentioned that you don't feel well. What kind of symptoms are you having? Because not all symptoms may be due to thyroid problem. In that case we need to evaluate for other disorders.

For thyroid thing, just wait for few more days.

Hope this helps.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (8 hours later)

Knowing that taking the new dose for 4 days has not made me worse - I will just have to be patient - I know this is a slow reacting drug. I am very sluggish - yesterday here it was hot during my run and I was exhausted the rest of the day. As I mentioned I do take Trazodone to help me sleep. (I have always had trouble sleeping but over the last 2 months it been worse than it normally has been - my doctor switched me from amitripline to Trazodone - which has helped a lot)
Thank you for getting back to me - XXXX

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes it should get better

Detailed Answer:
I think you are on the right track.

If needed you can post further followup queries. Else you may close this query and give feedback.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar