Hypothyroidism?
 

Next week I will be getting some blood tests done because my doctor thinks I might have hypothyroidism. I'm a little nervous, but does anyone here have this condition? What can be done to help combat it's effects?

The only things that can help with hypothyroidism are medication, exercise, and diet. However, medication is almost always necessary. I'd start seeing an endocrinologist if you are hypo.

I am newly diagnosed as of May. I have changed my diet to a more thyroid friendly one. I exercise. I also take 1 rx every morning. Don't worry. Not only is hypo VERY common, but it is also highly treatable. My best advice would be to start reading. Books, internet, magazines. Just make sure the source is qualified!

I have hypothyroidism also. I was diagnosed about a year and a half ago. It's definitely manageable but you will have to take a pill everyday and visit the endocrinologist every few months to get your levels checked. After a few weeks of the medication, I was surprised by how much energy I had lost and just hadn't noticed since I guess it was so gradual. You'll feel much better.

Same here. :) I was diagnosed in 1995 and have been on Synthroid since then. The good news is that once I started counting calories and exercising, I was able to lose weight without any problem (and keep it off for 7+years).

Diagnosed in May. Taking T3 and T4 medication (2 pills per day instead of standard 1 pill per day). Counting calories and started exercising. I couldn't lose weight to save my life without the medication, with the medication I am doing the same things I was in the past, eating better and exercising and the weight is coming of much better.

I had my thyroid out and have been taking synthroid also. I haven't been to my endo doc since my weight loss (I go every six months) and I was wondering if she does adjust my dosage will it effect my weight loss? Anybody have experience with this?

My thyroid yearly numbers keep going down every year and my Dr doesn't seem to be to worried. Last year it was 2 years ago it was 2.3, last year 1.47 this year .89. I am getting a little worried and do plan on seeing another dr.

the loser the numbers, the faster my thyroid works? right? the i should be losing weight faster, oh this is so confusing, i need to do some research on the web.

Me too...hypothyroid. I was diagnosed about 8 years ago and have been taking Synthroid since then. I see my endocrinologist every 6 months and my dose has increased over time. Once I put my mind to losing weight I have been able to do so.

spleenqueen - my dose did not change after losing a significant amount of weight. Just depends on the bloodwork results.

:)Barb

:DGOOD:D - everything has been going so well and I have been working so hard I don't want anything screwing it up - call it synthroid paranoid!!


:carrot::carrot::carrot:

I was actually JUST diagnosed after three years of my family saying that my sudden weight gain (108lbs in 6 months) and lack of progress in losing was sheer laziness. I opted out of the prescription medication option, and after only three days just taking a few extra vitamins (selenium, kelp, and adding some coconut oil), I feel AMAZING. I've energy that I haven't felt for a long time, and in that time, without doing anything differently, finally saw the scale moving downward! I'm so motivated to kick my butt into gear and finally see the body I mentally already have, that this energy boost and complete change in how I feel for the better is the best thing that could have happened. I have answers and know it wasn't just depression and stress keeping me from reaching my goals. If you're afraid of medication, or just plain stubborn like I am (raised by a physician and a nutritionist, so I'm very anti pill just out of my hippy ways and sort of rebellion), try adding a few surprisingly inexpensive supplements to your day and see how you feel. It's made all the difference in the world to me. I'm actually affected by caffeine for the first time in YEARS! *bouncy*

Me Too - It depends on what "thyroid number" you are talking about. Your Free T4 is the active hormone. It drops in hypothyroid. The Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is the the usual screening hormone and it raises in hypothyroid. There is also your Free T3 but it is rarely checked.

spleenqueen - BarbPA is right. Let your numbers be your guide. The actual hormone levels are simple to follow and doses may need to be adjusted rather your wight changes or not.

Featherfire - I am thrilled with your success... but I am curious if your thyroid function tests normalized with your remedy. Are you still hypothroid but feeling better or have you become euthyroid (normal thyroid)?

Where do I find info on the selenium, kelp, and coconut oil for Thyroid? I'll start googlin'.

But, always remember herbs and vits are "pills" too... they just aren't purified and regulated as closely.

HeatherMcG - A "thyroid friendly" diet? I would like to learn more about that. Looks like I'm headed back to google again. :)

Thanks for the info, guys. This place is sure full of information.

You are playing with fire to decline the meds and treat yourself with unhealthy coconut oil. Herbs and vitamins are okay but the problem with herbs is the strength can vary from batch to batch. Thyroid disease cannot be cured and will only get worse. If taking those things for a few days has given you such improvement, what were your numbers to begin with?

I can understand where some of you may be concerned with my choice in self treating. I am under supervision from my father, who is a physician, and honestly haven't felt this good in close to a decade. I've been talking the rite-aid brand centrum for women multivitamin along with an extra kelp supplement each day. I also added in a selenium, per suggestion of my g.p., with whom my father consulted. I'm not only trying to combat the incredible lack of energy, insomnia and hair loss, but I want to feel human again. This is what has been working for me. Certain routes aren't for everyone, and some aren't safe, but I can assure that my choice to not take the route of modern medicine and relying on supplements that are more natural and less "manufactured", being lab created versus in nature is working for me, and I am on the route to complete overall health.
Some of it, I wouldn't be surprised if it were a placebo effect, mind over matter and such, but I'm feeling better and seeing a change inside and out. Prior to the diagnosis, I was severely hypothyroid, and had been for many years, though I never thought to have it tested until multiple family members suggested it as a cause to my struggle to lose weight. Honestly, I never even heard of it until my mother first suggested I talk to my father. I also don't have health insurance, therefore can't afford the prescription route if that had been what I had chosen. I'm uninsured, as I can't afford to have another monthly income deduction, especially as I'm unfortunately unemployed at the moment. (Left a steady job for a new with more money and it fell through just as pretty much all jobs in the southern part of the state vanished until fall)
I'm feeling good and healthy, which I think is most important. If people want to supplement, as long as they take only the recommended daily dosage from the label or as recommended by a physician, I feel it's a safe and more affordable route. ^_^

...I almost forgot about the coconut oil bit....
I'm actually using it on my hair, versus ingesting.
It's really been a miracle for the dry brittle and extremely fragile hair that has been residing on my head since my symptoms started. It feels silky smooth, stopped breaking, and the shedding has almost completely stopped. I only lose a few hairs that I notice per day if either my hair has been in a tighter ponytail, or while trying to wash out styling products that leave helmet hair like build-up.
I'm definitely tempted to cook with it as well or start my day with a mini-shot glass style oral ingestion, though I'm still adjusting to actually remembering to take my vitamins every morning, never mind adding one more thing to the ritual.
I made sure to do my research on coconut oil before purchasing.
It actually made its way into my hands because of the condition of my hair being so terrible, but from what I've read and heard while visiting multiple natural food stores (I'm trying to keep my life as organic/natural as possible, clothing included when I'm at my goal size!) it's actually VERY good for you when not used in excess, like all things. Moderation is key.

http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html
Please seek advice of your physician.Do not attempt to self treat this disease.Read above.Left untreated, rarely, but CAN be life threatening.

But what about your hormone levels? Have they been rechecked? Are you Euthyroid?

Again... I'm wondering if that is treating symptoms or the underlying problem.

Just a point regarding the cost of medication. The generic for Synthroid which is Levothyroxin, can be purchased at many pharmacies for only $4 a month. If you already have had the blood testing done, that is the expensive portion. I understand that you have other objections to the medication route, but don't let finances be part of the problem.

I want to add a warning about untreated hypothyroid, it can turn to cancer. I had undaignosed hashimotos for years acording to my surgeon and in around 20% of all cases it will turn to thyroid cancer. I had my thyroid removed in October of 2005 because of cancer. I have to take medication everyday to survive, I have a big scar on my neck, and I am at a higher risk of getting a secondary cancer so I have to be extra vigilant about every aspect of my health. All that because I was not diagnosed and wasn't put on the medication that could have controled this before it turned to cancer.

Thyroid problems are not something to ignore and hope they go away, thyroid cancer is the only cancer that is increasing in the US today.

Are you on synthroid?

Thanks for sharing your story, Bette. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis can be tricky because it can cause bursts of hyperthyroidism during the inflammation before it burns out into hypothyroidism. And when we throw in the different types of thyroid cancers... it's a whole new level.

So, I throw my voice in with all the others. This is not a simple problem. You need to see your doctor regularly and they need to be following your levels.

My prayers and thoughts go out to you, Bette. :hug:

Thank you for your support.
For me thyroid cancer was a bit of a blessing. I feel so much better without my thyroid than I did with it. It gave me a chance to re-evaluate things in my life and I am happy with hwere I am right now in my life.

My thyroid seems to be functioning fine

Glad to hear your tests came back normal. One less thing to worry about. :high:

It has been interesting reading this thread. I had Grave's disease when I was 18, and nearly total thyroidectomy when I was 19. I believe that my other hormones were keeping me euthyroid for a long time, but it finally petered-out when I got pregnant with my 2nd child 10 years later. I have been on Synthroid for 22 years now. Unfortunately, it has been the source of my weight battle, and thyroid meds have never helped me lose weight. It is also part of the reason I could never get pregnant again, and after 10 years of trying, we adopted our daughter. I can always tell when my thyroid is in need of attention, and have had interesting causes over the years. Once it was because of pharmacy error, once it was heat stroke, and once it was iron toxicity from my vitamins. You have to read to see what kinds of things might interact with the thyroid med, and vitamins are a biggie unless you spread them out correctly. I have always taken synthroid at night so it doesn't upset my stomach--that might have been because of the baby at the time I started but have done it ever since. It never bothered me so much as the last couple of years with going through menopause. The best thing I have used for the splitting nails and hair loss was a suggestion from a dermatologist I was seeing for another reason--1000mg Biotin. Takes a little while, and a little trial & error, but I was pleasantly surprised -in about 4 weeks my hair was back to normal, took about 10 weeks to see improvement in my nails. I had not heard about the coconut oil, but since I grew up with the oils being in and out of fashion, it makes sense, although olive oil has always been the "go to" oil for most people I know. Just one thing, that crazy woman on the Web is not worth listening to in my opinion. I have read more poor and wrong advice from her than anything I have researched. So always be careful, and research well!

please please please do not ignore a thyroid problem.

Mine started when I had a hyperactive thyroid. I lost a butt load of weight and was the smallest i ever was as an adult, but very very sick. so much so that i needed two doses of radioactive iodine to treat my contition and developed graves disease which I needed a major surgery to fix.

I was on synthroid for 3 years then i changed doctors because i moved and my new doctor took me off my pills saying i didn't need them, and i trusted her cause she was a doctor. with this my weight spiraled out of control.

when i moved again a few months ago and again got a new doctor and he was appaled that i wasn't on any form of medication, so we've just recently started me back on the synthroid and i'm hoping it will help with my weightloss.

hi everybody, my name is haley my doc started me on generic synthroid about a month ago and now i feel even more tired than i was before which makes doing exercise more difficult and when it's so hot out and my 5 yr old daughter wants my attn i just give up and don't do it. i'm supposed to get my blood rechecked first week of september, so if my energy hasn't improved i hope that will show cause i won't be seeing my doctor that day.....

congrats on everyone making progress!

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism 11 years ago a year after the birth of my third child. I continued to gain weight until I finally plateaued at 250lbs. I am on the highest dose of Synthroid 300 mcg and still can not lose the weight. Worked out for 3-4 days a week at a gym doing cardio and weight training for a year while watching my intake. I think I lost 10 lbs. So I got fed up and quit. It is quite depressing but I have not found anything to work. I know I have to work out/exercise because my blood pressure is up. I am very discouraged and depressed which of course could mean I am not getting enough synthroid. But geeze can not afford to buy second pill. I will say to those who are taking levothyroxine be careful. I took it for a year and my endo said to quit because It is not enough. Since it is generic it doesn't meet the same regulations that the name brand has to meet and may not have enough of the hormone as it says it does.

I see this all the time and it never ceases to amaze me. Doctors check thyroid levels on people on the medicine and when they come back normal, they incorrectly stop the medicine. The levels are normal BECAUSE of the medicine. It is like stopping blood pressure medicine because it is working and the blood pressure is normal. I'm sorry that happened to you, newfette.

And Wren... you are right. Generic forms of thyroid are not as consistent in dosage. Lots of doctors won't use them. Even the name brands may vary, but are more consitant. So any change in brands should be followed by a recheck in the levels.

Following your levels of TSH and Free T4 are the key. No need to guess or wonder in this game.

hey gang

just want to mention if anyone here is having trouble finding your natural thyroid med, like Armour Thyroid, Naturethroid or Westhroid, please check out the info at www.savenaturalthyroid.com

or also all the good discussion at the facebook page by the same name. or holler at me.

hugs,
Cathy

OMG I have Hypothyrodism and MS
 

Okay I have lost some weight I use to weigh 300 lbs but it seems that I have stop losing weight I have started a new diet plan and a new exercise routine hopefully it works I will keep everyone up to date I also started new meds by the name of Topamax® (topiramate) i have really bad migraine headeaches. Has anyone heard of it? it has literally taken my taste buds away I dont know if its a good thing or a bad thing oh wells we will see...

I have diagnosed with MS so I want to lose weight before I cant do much on my own so i am optimistic if you can call it that...wish me luck...here I go on my journey...

Every 10 pounds...:cheer:

I was just diagnosed with it. I had my blood checked back in April and my doctor that I had at the time just focused on my cholesterol being elevated at 217, he never said anything about the thyroid. I finally visited a dietitian and she recommended that I see another doctor to get my thyroid checked. The new doctor immediately put me on synthroid and told me to expect some weight loss and of course continue with my diet and exercise. I just started, so I hope that I start seeing more energy soon! I'm glad that I was able to figure out what was wrong with me.

My doctor recommends take additional B and D supplements as Synthroid depletes these vitamins in your body. I have noticed a HUGE difference in my energy levels. Without them I am very tired and have zero energy.

He recommends 1000 mcg of B12 and 2000 I.U. of D daily.

What a difference it has made.

hypothyroid with nodules
 

I was on generic meds and my reg doc sent me to a specialist . She doubled the dose and I have more nodules since I was on generic. She doubled the dose to see if the growths stop. Hopefully. I have not yet lost weight but have been told that people with low thyroid do better on a low carb diet. I have not been on it long enough. No sugar or flour products. Yes, we will have lapses, but altogether, less carbs is better. Eat more veggies and at least 3 fruits I day I am told.:carrot:

I've got it. I would look into Armour thyroid. That is the only thing. Everyone else has given great info, too.

I have been very unsuccessful in losing weight since I was diagnosed. I blamed my thyroid for awhile, but now I think it may just be my own fault.

I just got a GoWear Fit to help me track how many calories I am burning a day. If I weigh my food religiously and wear this thing for a month and have a great deficit and STILL don't lose weight, I will know my metabolism is messed up. I do think I just eat way too much and move way too little, though.

I have been on Synthroid for several years and it is vital to my well-being. A previous poster mentioned being on a high dose but feeling like it isn't helping. I want to mention that there are several things that can interfere with the absorption of Synthroid. Be very careful about taking other meds or vitamins at the same time. If you take a multivitamin (particularly containing iron), take it at a totally different time of day. Also, make sure you are careful about taking on an empty stomach and then not eating for 60 minutes afterwards. Both of those things will help the full dosage be absorbed by your body! Hope that helps!

Is there a hypothyroidism/ Hashimoto's support group on this board?

I would love to join one.

If you are on Synthroid (t4) and still having hypo symptoms speak to your doc about adding Cytomel (t3). Some people have a problem converting t4 to t3 and need the Cytomel for their meds to be fully optimized.

Hypothyroid, on Synthroid and Vitamin D Deficient
 

Hypothyroidism runs in my family. My grandmother died of it. My mom had her thyroid removed when she developed a benign tumor the size of a grapefruit in her 30's. I've been on Synthroid since I was 25, I'm 43 this month. Currently taking 225 mcg of Synthroid daily. It took me 3 1/2 years of being very ill to find out that I was dangerously Vitamin D3 deficient. I'm on 50,000 IU once per week. Getting my Vitamin D3 levels up to 60 - 80 is what it took for me to start losing weight.

Today is the first time that I've heard that Synthroid depletes this all important hormone/nutrient. My B levels were tested too and they seem okay. I'm getting back on my multivitamin as soon as I can afford an extra $40-$50 per month.

Right now I'm alternating between losing 2 1/4 pounds per week and none at all. Tracking foods and exercise seems helpful but I don't always know why the plateaus are happening. Still horribly exhausted much of the time. I feel like I need a better doctor. Must do more research. I force myself to do what is best for my daughter, my pets and, sometimes, myself. I'm just so tired all the time.

Soy helped destroy my thyroid.
 

My thyroid was only in need of mild medication until I became Vegan in my late 20's. In order for me to get enough protein to not be ill, I ate a LOT of soy as well as many other vegetable proteins. Not being able to process simple carbs as a hypothyroid patient limited me a little but diet was very well rounded. Despite my good intentions, I destroyed what was left of my thyroid function. Please be careful about eating processed soy and do the research. It may cause you to become infertile and morbidly obese.

Due to gaining 100 pounds in 2 years from my vegetarian lifestyle and its damage to my already weakened thyroid, I continue to eat a wise carb program, The Schwarzbein Principle, and have returned to eating omnivorously, albeit mindfully.