Talking with Your Doctor

Once you know for certain that you have hypothyroidism, working closely with your doctor can help you get the most from treatment.

Tell your doctor about your symptoms

Keep track of your symptoms. At each office visit or checkup, tell your doctor if there have been any changes in your energy level, mood, weight, or eating habits.

Speak up if you have questions

Be sure to ask questions about anything you do not understand. For example, ask for clear instructions about how to take your thyroid medicine.

Stay involved with your treatment

Once you start treatment, your doctor counts on you to keep track of how you feel. It can take several weeks for your hypothyroid symptoms to improve after you start taking thyroid hormone medicine. Pay special attention to your symptoms during this time.

Call your doctor if your hypothyroid symptoms do not improve or if you have any new symptoms. These could be signs of overreplacement or underreplacement. Your medicine dose may need to be changed. Check your symptoms with the Your Thyroid — Your Body tool.

Keep track of your TSH levels

If your doctor changes your medicine dose, you will need to have follow-up TSH tests. These tests check to see if the new dose has helped bring your thyroid hormone level back in balance. If the new dose causes your TSH level to go too high or too low you may have new symptoms, or your old hypothyroid symptoms may come back. Keeping track of your symptoms and your TSH level helps your doctor find the dose of thyroid medicine that is right for you.

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