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Overcoming Symptoms of Underactive Thyroid

Q. Before I was put on levothyroxine for underactive thyroid I was irritated by even the smallest things. I felt so tired and depressed that I was always crying. I couldn’t sleep or lose any weight and I always felt cold.

When I started on levothyroxine (150 mcg), I felt more like my normal self than I had in a long time. My doctor lowered the dose and my symptoms have gotten worse again. The doctor says the blood test is OK, but I still feel bad.

What do the tests mean? How can I overcome the lethargy and depression?

A. Depression, fatigue and feeling cold can be symptoms of inadequate thyroid hormone. So is trouble losing weight.

Getting the dose of levothyroxine (T4) right can be tricky. Some people do better with a combination of T4 (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid) and T3 (Cytomel). We are sending you our Guide to Thyroid Hormones with details on interpreting test results and using natural treatments such as Armour Thyroid. You can also read more stories about Armour here and here.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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