May thyroid thread
 

my weigh-in is tomorrow. i hope i did well:)

hi all.

im very upset. i gained again this week for no reason. i do all the right things and gain gain gain. im sick of it. im huge!

Cheer up!!! andreaphilip3 we have all been there!! Right now I'm happy about two pounds but I'm still at my highest weight ever.... well with out being prego :) You have to keep positive and keep trying!! You can do it!!

thanks housewife. im determined to get this licked- no matter how many drs it takes or how much $.

btw- does anyone know how hashmito's or any of the additional thyroid conditions outside of hypo/hyper are diagnosed? b/c i know i have something, even if it aint hypo& all i hear is about how neg. my blood is. grrr!

http://thyroid.about.com/library/wee...erms=hashimoto

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Hashimoto's Disease

Hashimoto's disease, sometimes known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, autoimmune thyroiditis, or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease. In Hashimoto's, antibodies are reacting against proteins in the thyroid, causing gradual destruction of the gland itself, and its ability to produce the thyroid hormones the body needs.

Hashimoto's disease is typically diagnosed by one or more of the following means:

Enlargement of the thyroid, known as a goiter
High levels of antibodies against thyroglobulin (TG) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO), detected via blood test
Fine needle aspiration of the thyroid (also known as a needle biopsy), which shows lymphocytes and macrophages
A radioactive uptake scan, which would show diffuse uptake in an enlarged thyroid gland
Ultrasound, which would show an enlarged thyroid gland
Typically, in Hashimoto's, the thyroid does become enlarged, a condition known as a goiter. In some Hashimoto's patients, the goiter will be very small, and they will have no symptoms. Some of these patients require no treatment.

Some people with a goiter will feel discomfort in the neck area. If the goiter causes difficulty swallowing or breathing, or is a cosmetic problem, then thyroid hormone drugs such as levothyroxine or natural desiccated thyroid will usually be given to help shrink the thyroid.

In many cases, however, the onset of Hashimoto's and elevation of antibodies will be accompanied by a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weight changes, depression, hair loss, muscle/joint aches and pains, infertility, and recurrent miscarriages, among others. Many conventional endocrinologists will not, however, treat Hashimoto's disease if the thyroid function tests (i.e., TSH, T4, T3) are in the normal range, despite these symptoms.

Usually, however, Hashimoto's involves a slow but steady destruction of the gland that eventually results in the thyroid's inability to produce sufficient thyroid hormone -- the condition known as hypothyroidism. Along the way, however, there can be periods where the thyroid sputters back to life, even causing temporary hyperthyroidism, then a return to hypothyroidism. This cycling back and forth between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism is characteristic of Hashimoto's disease.

Ultimately, however, the thyroid slowly becomes less able to function, and when hypothyroidism itself can be measured by blood tests, many practitioners will finally treat with thyroid hormone replacement drugs.

There are, however, some endocrinologists, as well as holistic MDs, osteopaths and other practitioners, who believe that Hashimoto's disease -- as confirmed by the presence of thyroid antibodies -- along with symptoms, are enough to warrant treatment with small amounts of thyroid hormone.

The practice of treating patients who have Hashimoto's thyroiditis but normal range thyroid function tests is supported by a study, reported on in the March 2001 issue of the journal Thyroid. In this study, German researchers reported that use of levothyroxine treatment for cases of Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis where TSH had not yet elevated beyond normal range (people who were considered "euthyroid") could reduce the incidence and degree of autoimmune disease progression.

In the study of 21 patients with euthyroid Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (normal range TSH, but elevated antibodies), half of the patients were treated with levothyroxine for a year, the other half were not treated. After 1 year of therapy with levothyroxine, the antibody levels and lymphocytes (evidence of inflammation) decreased significantly only in the group receiving the medication. Among the untreated group, the antibody levels rose or remained the same.

The researchers concluded that preventative treatment of normal TSH range patients with Hashimoto's disease reduced the various markers of autoimmune thyroiditis, and speculated that that such treatment might even be able to stop the progression of Hashimoto's disease, or perhaps even prevent development of the hypothyroidism.

Autoimmune Thyroiditis Atttacks

In some cases, the thyroid becomes particularly inflamed, known as a thyroiditis attack. Dr. Steven Langer, author of "Solved: The Riddle of Illness," refers to thyroiditis as like an "arthritis of the thyroid." He explains that just as arthritis attacks the joints with pain and inflammation, thyroiditis can mean pain and inflammation in the thyroid for some sufferers. And in particular, during a thyroiditis attack, common symptoms are anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations, swelling in the thyroid area, problems swallowing, and frequently, problems sleeping.

"Thyroiditis attacks classically happen in the middle of the night," says Dr. Langer, which can be particularly troublesome in terms of the ability to sleep.

Dr. Langer suggests taking some calcium/magnesium, which are nutrients that have a sedative effect, along with a pain reliever to relieve inflammation -- buffered aspirin or ibuprofen -- before you go to bed, this might help. He's found that this helps about two-thirds of his patients suffering from nighttime thyroiditis symptoms.

Reducing swelling is a key aspect of dealing with thyroiditis attacks, according to Dr. Langer. "Just as with arthritis, an anti-inflammatory pain reliever doesn't cure the problem, but it temporarily ameliorates the symptoms."

Hypothyroidism

Many people with Hashimoto's disease end up hypothyroid, the situation where the thyroid is either underactive or totally unable to function. Hashimoto's disease is actually the leading cause of hypothyroidism, but other causes of hypothyroidism include:
surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid as treatment for nodules, goiter, hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, or thyroid cancer
radioactive iodine treatment (RAI) given as a hyperthyroidism or Graves' disease treatment
use of antithyroid drugs (such as Tapazole or PTU) to reduce thyroid activity, in response to as hyperthyroidism or Graves' disease
use of certain drugs, such as lithium

i lost a pound when i weighed myself at home on friday. of course, i think i gained it back because i was feeling a bit depressed...i had to have a biopsy on a mole on my shoulder, and i was worried, so i ate ice cream and german cookies. oh well.

trix,

ty 4 the info!!!! also, u r in my prayers:)

my mole is okay! it's not cancer! yay!

thanks for your prayers. i appreciate it.

i can't wait to get back to aikido though. i'm not supposed to go for 2 weeks cuz of the stitches, but i might go tomorrow anyways.

yay!!!! im soo glad!

doin ok, i lost 1 3/4 this week.

cool! i think i gained it though. teehee.

hang in there!!!!!!!

Hello all! I am so glad I decided to check in here tonight! I haven't been on this site in awhile, but I come in to look and here is a hypothyroid thread! it gets so frustrating having hypothyroid, sometimes I just wanna give up! I am starting ww again tomorrow and this is the last time I ever want to have to do this!! I hope to talk to you all soon!

Kim

i hear ya angelica!!!

good luck on ww:)

This is my 1st time here and I will be coming back to see how you all are doing with the weight and the thyroid problems. I had thyroid cancer 1 year ago and they are still trying to get it kick started. It sure is tiring and nerve recking....:( But Im trying to stay positive . Good luck all.

Good Morning
 

Good Morning everyone! I just wanted to stop in and say hello! I had a great OP day yesterday and am looking forward to another one today! I have been going to Curves and exercising 3 times a week! I lost 8.25 inches my first month. I didn't lose any weight, but I wasn't watching what I was eating. So now I am gonna watch my food intake and hope that this works! My thyroid meds are stable, but I imagine I am gonna have to go have them rechecked soon with the exercising and hopefully weight loss! Have a great day everyone!

Kim

welcome em!!!!

we are hear for ya. i am still trying to get diagnosed. my last hope is with a homeopathic dr this thur.

Thyroid Antibodies
 

Hello All! I'm new to the website, but I'm glad I found some people with the same problem I have - hypothyroidism...

My thyroid is actually in the range where it is supposed to be, BUT I did test positive for the antibodies and my thyroid is considered goiter. I must have a decent doctor according to the very informative post above - she didn't ignore the antibodies and put me on levoxyl (only .05 to start out - my mother and sister are already up to 2. something). I go to her again on Friday and I'm hoping she ups the dosage a bit.

I started WW around Dec. 1st of 2001 - didn't eat a bit of sweets throughout the holiday and didn't lose one pound - if anything by the end of the 11 week trial period, I gained one pound. Pounds mean everything when your 100lbs overweight! I was very frustrated with WW and myself :( - but here we are in May and I'm trying WW again - this time instead of eating high carbs, I need to concentrate on getting more proteins. My mother is on Atkins and doing great - lost 25 lbs in about 2 months! I'm not a big meat eater, so I don't think I could survive on that one. I'm not sure if WW will work this time and I'm not feeling as positive as I did before, but I have to keep trying, right?!

I didn't mean to write a book to you all, but I'm glad I FINALLY found some people who will understand how hard it is to lose weight with a thyroid condition!

I really enjoy this site and look forward to communicating with all of you!

:D

welcome!

i understand b/c im in the same boat. i have 60 to lose. i am cing a homeopathic dr today for 1st time, hopin to get on armour esp since my sensitivity 2 cold gas really been actin up the last few weeks ugh!

lost 2 1/2 pounds in the last 2 weeks... pretty bummed.

sorry i meant has not gas lol

2.5 lbs is great andrea!!! don't knock yourself!! that's doing awesome. that's two and a half boxes of butter that you no longer have to carry around.

it's 3% of your weight goal loss already. it's no small potatoes!!

keep up that rate, and you'll be to goal in no time at all.

hehe. thanx trix, but thats like 5 a mo&that aint gonna motivate me esp since im really strict wh my food. besides, during pre-thyroid stuff, i lost 8-10 a mo which is normal.

andreaphilip3: Thanks for the support. I hope you get got good news with the hemopath today.:^:

8-10lbs a month?!?!?! omg. my best months were, like, 4lbs. and i'm only 24...in theory, an age group with a high metabolism. so much for that theory. :)

i've forgotten...do you do weight lifting? if you gain muscle, you can eat more. :) but of course, it may not budge the scale initially, but you'll look trimmer, and that's what really counts.

i need to get serious about my eating again...it's getting close to finals, and i just don't care too much. plus, i bought a bag of riesen chocolate caramels, and they are truly evil. way too yummy.

thanks em, but not gonna happen. as it turns out, hes justa scam artist who nearly ripped me of 1000 dollars 4 nothin. but he sent bk my chk as soon as i emailed him what was the money for?

has anyone heard of saliva hormone testing? that seems 2 be the only thing the goof had correct!

Hi All!

Andrea - sorry about the dr. scam - I know how frustrating it is! I've been OP for two weeks and lost one pound. I know it's better than nothing, but at this rate it will take forever!!

I'm doing everything I can - exercising (walking alot), went off the birth control pills, eating right, etc. Hopefully increasing my protein will help too!

Went to my doctor this week also, hoping she would up my dosage on the levoxyl, but she said she is keeping me on .05mg. The only reason I can see why she's doing that is because my thyroid is still working - the antibodies haven't totally killed it yet and they don't want to up the dosage until absolutely necessary! BUMMER! Don't go back now until September!! Gives me a little bit of incentive to try and fight this darn thing though and see if I can do it on my own. ;)

thanx sham. i know its frustrating. i am in the same boat.

Andrea 3, Im so sorry to hear that Dr. was scam but its better to find out now. Right? I can only say I hope you would go to a learning hospital or a good local hospital that has a GOOD endocronolgist on staff. This is the Dr. who found my cancer andthen after the surgery I had to go yet another to have her balance things out for me. So I have been thru 2 Drs. since the discovery and thats not including the surgeon, etc, etc. If those options fail you ask a cancer surgeon who they would recommend. Or throat surgeon. Thats how I found my Dr. today.
Good luck and dont stop trying, this is your life and you deserve the best .
I still ahve problems but Im glad that i didnt stop at my family Dr. because gods knows I probably would be here. Dr's are only human and they make mistakes. But it sounds as if you know that, I just dont want you to give up. Keep in touch.:)

thanx em. im not. in fact, im filing complaints with the appropriate people . :Dhehe he picked the wrong person to mess with!:D

andrea3, so glad that you are reporting this idiot:smug:

I hope you keep trying to questions answered..

Kepp in touch and good luck:D

thanx em, me too!

thyroid
 

I have thyroid problem and take Levothroid .20 for it. I have been on medicine since 1994. My doctor at that time was very patient while I was gaining weight, trying to get my medicine right. I would gain 10 lbs in one month and then not gain any for 3 months, then 8 lbs in one month. She told me that she had found that most people in south Georgia tend to gain weight like this. I changed doctors! I have joined WW for a month now. Wish me luck!:)

welcome&good luck!

i gained 1 1/4 this week. sigh....

look for the june thread on 6-1 ok?

i haven't been doing that hot lately either. graduation and finals are stressing me a bit. i did find a pretty dress though. i was amazed to look at myself in the mirror. i have collar bones now. very odd, but very good.

good 4 u trixie:)

btw- am i the only 1 here not on meds? i think so.