How long does Levothyroxine take to show its effects?

So,in 2011 I went to a new doctor. She told me my thyroid was abnormally large for a woman. Ran some bloodwork, all normal (my bloodwork always had been)... Ultrasound revealed masses on one side of my thyroid. Ahe decided based off my bloodwork, to wait to treat. Got a 2nd opinion, did a biopsy, came back suspicious of cancer. Within 5 weeks, I was having surgery to have it removed. Started on my meds... First check within a month... I never really "felt" different but I definitely was able to keep up with my son better. If your thyroid is enlarged and there are masses, ask about options for having it removed. Call your insurance, see if it's covered.
Mine ended up being cancer, throughout my entire thyroid. If i had waited... who knows if I would still be here.
I would seek a 2nd opinion though... Because like the others said... My endocrinologist wouldn't put me on meds as long as the function is normal.

I'm surprised the doctor put you on the medication if they state your levels are normal. The point of the medication is increase your thyroid hormone. When it's above the normal range it can indicate hypothyroidism and when it's on the low end it can indicate hyperthyroidism. When they give you the hormone it's to decrease the TSH levels. Was it that your levels are on the high end of normal? If that's the case I can see why they gave the medication but if it's in the normal range that's weird. Like someone else stated they have a standard range but they do like to go by how you feel. They removed my one side biopsied it and found it's cancer so they are removing the other side and depending on if they find cancer they will do the radiation treatment. I'm on medication to decrease my TSH levels. If you have 7 nodules I would look into surgery then you don't have to worry. Good luck with everything.

Hello. How is it going with the endocrinologist? They told me I was benign and my numbers were slowly changing. However I was falling asleep and my mom had thyroid problems. Be sure your TSH is between .3 to 3.0. When mine was at 7.8 they said it was normal. Wrong. Instead when I now feel well after surgery I am at .44. Feel normal here. So this endocrinologist says he puts people where they feel normal. Numbers aren't always the thing. I had microcell cancer as the nodules were calcified. Turns out you cannot biopsy them properly when calcified. I elected the surgery, surgeon agreed it could be cancer when I asked him, and the result found by a pathologist. As you have a goiter and nodules, be sure you get all your TSH results to see how you are trending, discuss with doctor, and ask about removing as an option. No one wants surgery, I sure didn't, but it is best to have all the information. Not here to worry you, but am being pragmatic. The more we know the better off we become.

It may take several weeks before you notice a change in your symptoms. Give it a little while longer. Do not stop taking levothyroxine without talking to your doctor.

Is your new dr an endocrinologist? They are the experts on thyroid. Did he tell you what your TSH is because the normals have been changed and some drs are still using the old numbers. When you see him he will ask how you're feeling, you may need the dose increased.