Have you tried the free clinic? I would at least talk to my Dr. about it. A good Dr. will try to help you all he/she can - within reason. I work at an Internist office and trust me - a lot of people are in your same situation. Lab expense to test your TSH and T4 levels are very expensive. I would also ask my Dr. about getting samples. Drug reps. don't sample usually anything that is generic. Most Drs. offices get samples from Drug Reps. We have patients who can't afford their medicine and come by every week and get bags of samples.
Also, yes - it can seriously hurt your health if your thyroid levels are off. It can eventually damage your heart (in some people) and can cause kidney malfunction if bad situations. By the time the Dr. I work for was able to see my brother (he had been going to another Dr. for quite some time), he was severly hypothyroid. His TSH was at a 74. It should read close to a 1. He had been overweight for so long too. His former Dr. never tested him. He developed stasis ulcers because of the fluid buildup. His heart was also enlarged and had fluid around it. I'm also hypothyroid. Have Graves disease. My thryoid was removed when I was 16.
As far the time of day to take the dose? Best in the morning at least 30 minutes before you drink anything (other than water) or eat anything. It's a synthetic hormone which makes it hard for your body to absorb it.
I totally understand about the lab bills: I have one sitting on my desk for $500.00. It's for Lipids, TSH, & T4 - and that's all.
As for the weight? I'm 41 now and weigh 184 lbs. My highest being 210 when I was pregnant. It pretty much stinks being hypothyroid and trying to lose but everybody's different too. Right now I'm trying to watch my calories (keep them between 1200-1500/day. Trying to work out (not very successful). I've lost 5 lbs. since January 1st.
Good luck to you! I hope you can find someone who can help you with this.
TammyO
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