[sharperTX]

Hey, I'm new here.
I have chronic hypothyroidism. I've had it for about 10 years, but it wasn't until last year when I moved to Dallas and got a doctor that actually knew what was wrong with me. She checked my thyroid and said it was pretty much nonexistent. She told me to not take any pain medications or sleeping pills until I get it back in a normal range because I could slip into a coma.
I was really freaked out and I've been on synthroid for a year now. And if anyone knows how to get on this stuff, you know it takes FOREVER to get to the point to know if you are at the right amount of dosage.
About 6 weeks ago, I went in for my "every 6 weeks blood draw" and it finally read at a normal range for the first time. I was so excited! My doc said that I could now loose some weight, but there was a chance that it could go back down. So this Friday will be my blood draw day to see if it's still normal.
To be honest with you, since I haven't lost any weight at all, I hope its down so that she can raise my medication again. I need anything that can help me burn some cals. I have gained 30 lbs since I got married a full year ago. I thought since I was diagnosed with thyroidism, it would solve all my problems and I would be loosing weight in no time.
Instead, all I do is gain!
So wish me luck on Friday!

[nawchem]

I have hypo too. After not losing wt for a year with dieting and exercise I changed my medication myself- noone checks my thyroid levels just gives me meds. I went really slowly and suddenly I'm losing wt, I'm not tired and depressed and I'm sleeping better. My dr says thats all that matters who cares what the numbers are. At first I was scared of this but now I'm so happy that I took things into my own hands. I'm still freezing cold though so I may make another small switch.

My switch was the same amount of T4 but I added in a tiny amount of T3.

PS good luck friday!

[QuilterInVA]

It is dangerous to self medicate because you can give yourself a heart attack. I'd run from that doctor as fast as I could. You have to follow a sensible diet, SB works very well, and exercise to lose weight and keep it off. I've been hypo for many years and in control most of those years.

[cathyxxx]

blood work is only a gauge, a reference, and not everyone is the same. one gauge, one reference does not fit everyone and the TSH which most docs run can be very unreliable on it's own.

I think good docs know to treat someone's symptoms and not just their lab numbers.

I am beyond BLESSED to have found a doc that treats my symptoms and not my bloodwork. Many people are undertreated when their doc runs bloodwork every few months (or weeks) and changes their dosage accordingly. If you still have hypo symptoms then you are undertreated.

take care,
Cathy