A SYNTHROID Story: Meet Lisa
ON SCREEN:
Lisa
Living with hypothyroidism
LISA:
Hi, I'm Lisa. I'm a wife and mother of three amazing boys. And I adore my corgi, Mabel.
In my spare time, I love listening to music, I love to restore furniture, and my real passion is writing.
In the fall of 2008, after a routine physical and a series of tests, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. That led to meeting with a surgeon, who had to remove my entire thyroid gland. This led to me living with hypothyroidism for the rest of my life.
After my surgery, I met with my endocrinologist, and he taught me all about living with hypothyroidism and that I would have to take, every single day, a thyroid hormone replacement medication. And he prescribed to me, SYNTHROID.
ON SCREEN:
Individual results may vary.
Talk to your doctor to determine which medication is right for you.
LISA:
He told me it would take a while to get the right dosage for me, and that over time, adjustments might need to be made with the amount of SYNTHROID that I would be taking on a daily basis.
ON SCREEN:
Your doctor will carefully monitor your thyroid levels regularly.
Individual results may vary.
LISA:
I've had several different doses over the past almost 16 years. You really have to advocate for yourself, and you have to keep the communication going with your endocrinologist, and be on top of your health, because things happen in life, and sometimes that medicine just needs to be adjusted.
ON SCREEN:
Your doctor will regularly check your TSH blood levels.
LISA:
My doctor told me that I would have to take my medication in the morning, first thing, on an empty stomach, with water, and that I would have to wait about an hour before I had breakfast.
ON SCREEN:
SYNTHROID should be taken alone, with water ONLY, on an empty stomach 30 minutes to 1 hour before breakfast.
LISA:
When I get up in the morning, I take my SYNTHROID first thing, and it's become a routine. I look forward to actually taking that medicine every morning ‘cause that's how I start my day.
Even my dog knows now, like, she'll hear me with the pill bottle. I get up, take my SYNTHROID, and then it's time to go for a walk. So it has to become part of your life, has to become part of your daily routine.
One important thing I have learned over the years is that there are certain foods that can interfere with the absorption of SYNTHROID. So that’s why it’s important to take it only with water.
My doctor also pointed out to me, which I found very interesting, to wait ‘til nighttime to take my calcium supplements and any other vitamins that I do take.
When he writes my prescription, he specifically states SYNTHROID.
ON SCREEN:
The Food and Drug Administration has determined that certain levothyroxine products are interchangeable.
LISA:
I have a terrific relationship with my endocrinologist. Not only because I see him at least four times a year, but it's not just about the treatment. He asks me how I'm doing, how my family is, we just get along really well and he sincerely cares. It’s so important to see that personal side of a physician ‘cause they have it. It's not all clinical and black and white.
They just want to help us. And you have to really nurture that relationship.
If there's one thing I've learned over the past 16 years, it's to listen to my body, because it is telling me when something's just not right and when something needs to be adjusted with my thyroid hormone replacement medication. It's so critical. And it is the answer. It's the key. You have to listen to your body, and you have to communicate with your doctor.
It's been so long that I don't even really think about it anymore. And when my levels are in check and I'm taking my medicine every single day, I feel good. I can move on with life.
LISA:
Knowing that my treatment is consistent gives me confidence.
ON SCREEN:
SYNTHROID is not for everyone.
I need SYNTHROID every day. And thank goodness it's around, because it's going to keep me going, and I'm very fortunate.
