I read through all the responses and it does seem like you definitely received some good advice. However, since I have been treated now for over 10 years for my thyroid condition I wanted to share what I have learned along the way.
Firstly, I have seen two endocrinologists over the ten plus years and they both felt strongly that I should not take the generic form, but only Synthroid. They believe that there is too much variance in the generic.
- you have to take your Synthroid in the morning on an empty stomach, and it has to be at the same time every day - not more than an hour difference from day to day.
- when you have your throid levels checked, they will tell you if you fall in the normal range. However, always ask specifically what your levels were and what the range in. For example, 1.4 on a normal range of 0.3 - 3.0.
- Keep a journal of how you feel. For me, I need to be as close as possible to a 1.0 to feel a good amount of energy. Insist that your doctor take into consideration how you are feeling in addition to the results of your blood test. Knowing this, my doctor has agreed to increase my synthroid levels so that my thryroid levels are closer to a 1.0 (this is closer to the hypothroid end of the scale)
- Also pay attention to what your T4 and free T3 levels are. If you free T3 levels are too low, that means that your body is not able to convert the Synthroid (or thryroid hormone) into the active form that your body needs. If this is the case, you made need to go on natural Thyroid hormone (Armor) for a period because Armor contains both the T4 and free T3, whereas Synthroid contains on the T4 (leaving your body to convert it).
Feel free to email me offlist at ____@____.com the way, excercise and eating a balanced diet (no sugary drinks, lots of water, a good breakfast, no/low sugar foods, 5 vegies/fruits a day) is the only way to go. It keeps you fit. Afterall, it is not just the weight that we want to keep off or loose, whichever the case may be, but also the body and figure that looks fit and in shape.