Hypothyroid - Bethlehem,PA

I have hypothyroidism and take Armour Thyroid for it. I noticed that my fatigue went away and my hair loss and weight gain stopped.
I see a Thyroidologist, who is a doctor who specializes in disorders of the thyroid. I learned by mistake not to let my Family doctor treat my thyroid problem.
The doctor listed below in the Thyroidologist in your state. I found him at http://www.thyroidologists.com/doctors.html
Oscar L. Castro, M.D. Butler Regional Endocrinologist
111 Woody Drive, Butler, PA 16001
Tel: ###-###-#### Fax: ###-###-####

I second the advice on the real synthroid. Don't get generic. Just monitor everything meaning levels do all three t4 etc tests. If you decide to get pregnant make sure to monitor everything. One thing to remember is that hormones work together if one is off than the others will also follow. So my doc is having me do a full workup. There's a great doc local to me in Naperville but she's offiliated with a group that was on dr phil about a year go. They may have info in pa?

You will be fine! Make sure that you take real synthroid, not generic. It is one type of drug where the generic is not equivalent and does not work as well. Take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Don't take any other medications for at least 1 hour. Many things can be made less effective if taken at the same time as synthroid - like iron supplements and antibiotics. If you miss a dose, don't take it later in the day or you will be up all night. I have been on synthroid for 15 years. I was hyperthyroid, had Radioactive Iodine Treatment done which leaves you hypothyroid. I have never heard of it leading to cancer. You do follow up with an endrocrinologist and this past year I had some suspicious nodes on one side of my thyroid so I had that side removed - which was much easier than I thought it was going to be - and it wasn't cancerous. During that process, no one mentioned to me that I was at increased risk. Just be very honest with the dr. about how you are feeling. Sometimes it takes a while to get the right dose.

I'm hypothyroid. It's really common, especially for women after childbirth.

I go for bloodwork every 2-3 months to see if my level needs to be adjusted. It's not really a big deal, and once you're balanced, you feel so much better! I take Levoxothyrine (the generic) and it's fine. Some people are sensitive to generic vs. not - but I've never had a problem with it.

All you should expect is to start feeling normal again in a few weeks. :)

To my knowledge, treated conditions do not LEAD to cancer. Although I do know several people that have had their removed due to tumors. They simply take their dosage and go on with life.

Hi there - I was diagnosed with maternal hypothyroidism (brought on by pregnancy) when I was 8 weeks pregnant. I was put on Synthroid - unlike the other posters I was told by my ob/gyn that the generic (Levothyroxine) was fine. After two blood draws (12weeks) my levels returned to normal and I'm on a 50 mcg dosage. I do agree with the rules regarding when to take your meds so you get the most out of your medicine. I take mine 1st thing in the morning and wait one hour to eat or drink. Then I take my iron supplement 2+ hours after. I take my prenatals before bedtime. I don't see any side effects from the medication. I'm not sure about the link to cancer - can't speak to that piece.

I was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism about a year ago. I find that the medication helps with all of the symptoms with zero side effects. I don't believe that you have to worry about cancer too much as long as your levels stay regulated. My dr. just always reminds me how important it is to make sure the level of medication is right if I get pregnant again. Hope this helps!

I was diagnosed with hperthyroidism and had my thyroid radiated and now been on Synthroid for 9 years now. I can not tell you how much better you should feel after taking this for a few months. Synthroid makes me feel normal whereas when I forget to take it I feel horrible: tired, depressed, dry skin, dry brittle hair that falls out. My only advice to you is to make sure that you use it as your doctor perscribes. My doctor tells me NO generic synthroid (which they do use and it is a bit cheaper but you can usually get samples from the Dr.) Also take it in the morning 30 minutes before you eat. You will be fine, as far as it leading to thryoid cancer???? Never heard of that before, but check with your Dr. on that one.