Question:
Postponed due to Low thyroid

Has anyone found out during preop testing they had a low thyroid level and started on medicine to correct inactive thyroid? If so how long might it take to get a normal reading? it was .45, I know everyone is diff. I was told approx. 3-4 weeks. I was not aware of this condition before yesterday. Thank you!    — colleen S. (posted on September 2, 1999)

September 3, 1999
Hi- I too had been diagnosed with hypothyroidism during my pre-certification testing for weight loss surgery. Actually a tsh level of .5 is normal so yours was borderline. If you have started Synthroid/Levothroid or other type of medicine- you should feel better within a week. Though it is true that blood levels will not stabolize until 3-4 weeks. If you don't know anything about hypothroidism some of the symptoms are : feeling cold, mood swings, hair falling out, exhaustion,dizziness,and weight gain. This should have no effect on your determination for surgery though. As my doc said " The damage has already been done (meaning the weight gain acquired during the untreated hypothyroidism) but taking your medication now will prevent you from gaining weight (as long as you don't change your dietary habitis) and your general well being should increase".
   — Paula S.