The PM I was gonna send to Squatpuke was too long (LOL!!), so I am gonna post it here instead...
I will answer these questions as best as I can, and provide excerpts from medical publications since I am not yet (techically) certified to give out medical advice. I actually do know what I am talking about though....
squatpuke said:
1) Take meds after waking on empty stomach about 1/2 hour before eating right?.
That is correct. It is best to take them first thing after waking and then wait a half hour to an hour or so before eating breakfast...
Taking levothyroxine with food may decrease its absorption. Levothyroxine absorption is increased when taken on an empty stomach. High-fiber diets have been shown to decrease levothyroxine absorption. Thyroid hormones should be taken an hour before eating, at the same time very day.
http://www.qfconline.com/hn/Drug/Thyroid_Hormones.htm
squatpuke said:
2) Are there any sups to NOT take after taking the dosage?
Regarding "bodybuilding" supplements, there really are none to worry about that I can think of right now... If you are concerned about something, just take it several hours after the levothyroxine. A few dietary supplements/vitamins do have potential interactions and they would be better to take a few hours after taking the levothyroxine, or around "lunch time". You can (and should!!) still take these, but just make sure they are taken several hours after the levothyroxine... It is the ABSORPTION that is the primary issue with most of these interactions, not the effects on the drugs. Once the levothyroxine is in the bloodstream, the majority of the supplements are no longer an issue and are fine to take.
Those are explained here:
Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Calcium
Thyroid hormones have been reported to increase urinary loss of calcium. However, recent research suggests that, under most circumstances, taking thyroid hormones may not be associated with reduced bone density. Calcium supplementation for people taking long-term thyroid medication has not yet been proven to be either helpful or necessary.
Simultaneous ingestion of some calcium formulations with levothyroxine has been reported to reduce the effectiveness of levothyroxine. For example, 1,200 mg per day of calcium as calcium carbonate, taken along with levothyroxine, significantly reduced absorption of the thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine activity will not be blocked if it is taken in the morning and calcium carbonate is taken after lunch and dinner. Separating these medications by at least four hours is recommended.
Iron
Iron deficiency has been reported to impair the body’s ability to make its own thyroid hormones, which could increase the need for thyroid medication. In a preliminary trial, iron supplementation given to iron-deficient women with low blood levels of thyroid hormones, partially normalized these levels. Diagnosing iron deficiency requires the help of a doctor. The body’s ability to make its own thyroid hormones is also reduced during low-calorie dieting. Iron supplementation (27 mg per day) was reported in a controlled study to help maintain normal thyroid hormone levels in obese patients despite a very low-calorie diet.
However, iron supplements may decrease absorption of thyroid hormone medications. People taking thyroid hormone medications should talk with their doctor before taking iron-containing products.
Soy
Ingestion of soy products simultaneously with thyroid hormones appears to reduce the absorption of the hormones. To be safe, people taking thyroid medication should not consume soy products within three hours of taking their medication. In addition, infants with congenital hypothyroidism given thyroid medication must not be given increased or reduced amounts of soy-based formula without consulting a pediatrician or pediatric endocrinologist.
Interactions with Herbs
Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus, Lycopus europaeus) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) may interfere with the action of thyroid hormones and should not be used during treatment with thyroid hormones.
http://www.qfconline.com/hn/Drug/Thyroid_Hormones.htm
squatpuke said:
3) Are they're any sups to aid in the problem (i.e. Kelp?)
Well, this area is something I haven't looked into as much, as the medication alone seems to be working fine on its own. I ALWAYS take a good multivitamin to ensure that I am getting enough vitamins/nutrients ... I just make sure to take them later in the day so they don't effect the absorption of the levothyroxine. In order to keep this from turning into a book-length PM, I will simply give you a website that has info on lots of supplements you could take:
http://www.ithyroid.com/supplement_list.htm
squatpuke said:
4) How has the hypothyroidism affected your life, lifesytle, and lifting habits?
I, as well as most people, noticed an increase in energy levels once I got on the medication. Before the meds, I was always tired and had no motivation whatsoever, especially to go workout... After being on the levothyroxine for a while, I felt like I was back to my "old self" again... and returned to the gym in full force! My onset of hypothyroidism happened pretty drastically, so I knew something was wrong and went to the Doc pretty quickly to get it taken care of. The potential symptoms of this condition can really take its toll on someone's life, so I wanted to avoid that as much as possible.
squatpuke said:
5) My Cholesterol was WAY high...like 500+ and he said this caused my HDL to not register...my LDL was ok at like 42 or something...does this sound right. He also said that these results are probably high because of the thyroid problem and he expects them to change along with the TSH level (which was like 150 or something).
Your levels are high, but not suprising for someone with hypothyroidism. Your LDL levels look very good though, which is reassuring. I included (below) an exerpt that explains why your cholesterol levels are so high and how they got that way. Once you have been on the levothyroxine for a while, those HDL numbers should go down drastically, but still not overnight.
This is an excerpt from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) press release, and I have highlighted parts that are relevant to this question:
The Thyroid-Cholesterol Connection
Cholesterol is a substance that is transported by fat-carrying proteins in the bloodstream. The body manufactures cholesterol to maintain the integrity and strength of cellular walls. However, if there is a decrease in the body's ability to metabolize cholesterol, an excess of cholesterol in the blood may occur - a condition known as hypercholesterolemia. Elevated blood cholesterol levels can lead to the formation of cholesterol deposits in the walls of the arteries, especially around the heart. These deposits can potentially block blood flow, causing heart attacks or strokes. An estimated 98 million Americans (more than half of American adults) have elevated cholesterol - a major contributor to heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.
The thyroid, a small, butterfly-shaped gland located below the Adam's apple, produces hormones that regulate body metabolism.
If the thyroid gland is underactive (hypothyroid) and producing too little thyroid hormone, metabolism can slow, having a direct impact on the body's ability to metabolize blood cholesterol. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include moderate weight gain, fatigue, mood swings or depression and dry skin, hair or nails. The average blood cholesterol levels of patients with underactive thyroid are often 250 mg/dL or more, which is 30 to 50 percent higher than desirable (normal range is considered under 200 mg/dL).
"Clinical experience shows that an estimated 10 percent of patients with elevated cholesterol levels have an underactive thyroid,& explains Stanley Feld, M.D., M.A.C.E., past-president of AACE. "For these patients,
treatment of hypothyroidism with thyroid replacement hormone will restore the body's metabolism to normal levels and increase the ability to clear cholesterol from the blood, resulting in lower cholesterol levels and a decreased risk for heart disease."
Thyroid disease affects approximately 13 million Americans, yet more than half of these patients remain undiagnosed. In addition to hypothyroidism, thyroid disease can result from an overactive thyroid gland, a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Commons symptoms of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, insomnia, sleep disturbances, nervousness and irritability. An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) can be a sign of either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Once treated, these symptoms can be relieved and the patient's quality of life can be improved. Left untreated, however, thyroid disease can lead to an increased risk for heart disease, infertility and osteoporosis.
"It is important that patients learn to recognize and evaluate the subtle signs and symptoms that can be significant markers of thyroid disease," says Dr. Dickey. "Many people dismiss common feelings of fatigue or mood swings as part of normal menopause or aging when, in fact, they are symptoms of thyroid disease and can be relieved easily with treatment."
http://www.aace.com/pub/tam2000/presstam2000.php
From what you said, I will be suprised if your Doc doesn't end up raising you levothyroxine dose up a bit, depending on what your TSH levels are when you get tested again. 50mcg is the typical starter dose and they adjust it up from there, after they see how much of an impact the 50mcg has made on the TSH. The thing with levothyroxine is that it takes a while to fully "kick in"... about 4-6 weeks. You should notice a gradual increase in enegy over that time, even at that small of a dose (50mcg)...
I have used both Levoxyl and the generic levothyroxine, and there really is no difference. If you can get the generic, go for it... It will save you money!! If you have any friends that are Doctors or Pharmaceutical reps, they will quite often give you a bunch of "trial packs" of Levoxyl so you don't have to pay for anything at all....
I really hope this helps, and again, please feel free to PM me again if you have more questions. Hypothyroidiism is a complcated condition that can affect many areas of your body until the treatment is adjusted and "kicks in"... Be patient, you will feel much better when everything is back to "normal".
Good luck bro!! Let me know if you have ANY more questions....
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