November Thyroid Thread
 

Here is our lovely thread for November.

How is the cooler weather for everyone? Doing anything new for exercise or eating?

My food choices really change in fall/winter. I get more soup cravings, and veggies are much less appealing. I also get lazy and avoid going for walks because it's too cold or too dark.

Any favorite recipes to share for Thanksgiving or winter?

Have a good month!!

what? is everyone just lurking now? people have looked here at least 13 times....but no one has responded...

is anyone alive out there? or do things just suck so badly you would rather not post?

Hi.
I've had a thyroid problem for a few years now but have only been treating it for about 6 weeks. I'm taking three pills of Bio-Tech Thyroid, a natural thyroid. My Dr. is Dr. Atkins, but when I asked him how long it will take to feel better, he couldn't tell me.

I am still cold most of the time, my hair is dry, my skin is VERY dry, my nails keep splitting.

What is everyone else on and do you feel better. I am having the HARDEST time losing weight!!!

Any pearls of wisdom?

Thanks:)

Hi Girls,

I have not posted muuch because theres never anyone around. I know you are all busy getting things ready for Christmas etc. Making things and small gifts. Food some one mentioned food!!!!! well I make a lot of casseroles and soups and the slow cooker comes out, and I love a jacket potato for supper when its cold outside although we dont get snow this far south. The damp makes it feel colder. I live by the beach and is raw when wind coming off the sea whips the sand up and its like being sandblasted sometimes really hurts.
regards,
Vivienne tizme2000

i'm taking armour thyroid, and it takes about a month to notice a change, i think. maybe longer. i really notice the changes when i look back to how i was. my nails can grow longer, and they are strong. my hair is looking better, i have collarbones and a neck that is defined. i don't need to have 50 blankets on my bed.

i made a meal using my george foreman grill. it was very yummy. i did the usual chicken breasts, but i seasoned them with nutmeg and pumpkin pie spice and mrs. dash. i also had brown rice, and with that were some apples i sauteed with apple cider and a bit of vinegar. i also added onions and let that boil/simmer/stew on the stove while i tended to the meat. i even added some pressure cooked pumpkin and toasted walnuts to it. it was very good. it passed the picky mom and dad test. :-) my bf who hates squash even ate it and enjoyed it.

Trixiepup-

How long have you been taking armour thyroid?
I take Bio-Tech Thyroid and was wondering why my Dr. didn't prescribe it.

I wouls love my nails to start groeing and my hair to look the way it used to. How long does it take for it to stop falling out more than normal?

Randi

if you've been on it for 6 weeks, you may not be getting enough of the hormone for it to take effect. or the medicine may not be right for your body. my mom had synthyroid, but it didn't help her. so she got armour, and that is why i use armour. drs and hmos hate to prescribe it because it is a biological source instead of a synthetic source, so the dosages in the pills may vary. thus, they have to run more blood tests and it's more expensive for the hmo.

it's possible your dr may be somewhat clueless, too. as long as your blood work shows up in the normal range, they may not modify your dosing. however, you may need to be in a lower than 'normal' range. my mom was in this situation; she was still depressed and lethargic, etc even though she was normal. she went to someone very experienced with thyroid stuff (the dr was actually misdiagnosed for years, so she relies on both patient symptoms as well as bloodwork results) and got the right amount of medication.

my mom, sister, and myself have all been treated for thyroid stuff for about 12-18 months. my mom and sister have both recently started feeling revitalized. your body has been out of balance for years (probably), so it may take longer for it to get in balance again. i think for the body, hair is one of the last things it cares about, and it will likely focus on the internal things first, and then when it has a store of hormone to work with, it'll tackle the hair and nails. but this is my own opinion, and i'm not a doctor.

I've been on synthroid about six weeks now and am noticing a difference as far as energy, lethargy go but not nails, hair yet. At first it didn't seem to be doing much of anything. Did have blood work again two weeks ago and dr. said dosage was fine, that it just takes a while, maybe even as long as three months for all areas to be affected.

I still get times some days when I just tire out totally but now I can sort of pull it together again after a rest as vs. before when once I peaked out, it was over for the day.

Still so much to learn about it though. My Mom is also on Synthroid and seems better on it.

Hi Ladies

I have been reading this thread and thought I'd add my 2 cents and ask a few questions. I am on .112 of the synthroid and have been for 3 months. I was diagnosed about 2 years ago and it took this long to finally get to the right dosage. I went into it pretty blindly...I didn't know a thing about hypothroidism except that my sister has had it for years and it did miraculous things for her once she started getting medicated. I should have studied the subject more...I went through a bad spell when my pulse started speeding up and I many times thought I was having a heart attack. I'm still not sure I'm at the right level because I was expecting the same miracles my sister had...she lost a lot of water weight (unpuffed) her hair and eyebrows grew back healthy, she had a ton more energy and she wasn't standing next to the heater every spare second. She's changed from the synthroid to a natural just recently and she's feeling even better. I have 2 questions...does your weight affect the way your dosage is absorbed? and has anyone on this thread had trouble with infertility related to their hypothyroidism?

:df:
Kim

Weight Loss and Meds
 

Hi Kim -- I can't answer your second question re fertility because I had my babies before I was disagnosed (no problems getting pregnant either time). With regard to weight and dosage, you bring up an interesting point. I have lost 122 pounds over the past year and a half and my Levoxyl dose has only had to be slightly adjusted during that time. I started at .206 mg (1 1/2 of the .1375 tablets/day) and, though my doctor monitored my TSH closely throughout the eleven months of weight loss, I ended up still needing .175 mg/day. She had expected that I would need a much smaller dose at 135 pounds than I had at 257 pounds, but that turned out not to be the case. Perhaps dosage is not weight-sensitive -- although my doctor thought it would be -- or perhaps my body metabolizes it differently now than when I was heavier. The bottom line is that losing about 50% of me resulted in only lowering my Levoxyl dose by 15%. So, in answer to your question, I think that weight may affect how your dosage is absorbed but that losing weight, in my case, didn't affect the total dosage significantly.

And I would like to encourage all of you with hypothyroidism to hang in there and not give up trying to lose weight. It IS possible to lose weight with our problem and I think there are two keys for us: lower carbs and exercise. Not only did I lose 122 pounds (and I have maintained for six months while my body fat % has continued to drop, signifying fat loss and muscle gain) but I did it in eleven months, which is fast for anyone, let alone someone who is hypothyroid. After being a total Weight Watchers failure (join - lose- gain - quit - repeat), I joined a gym and went from hating to loving exercise. I believe that exercise (both cardio and weight training) has revved up my metabolism to a point where it can overcome the metabolic slowdown of hypothroidism. And I have learned for myself that the more carbs I eat, the more I want to eat. I lose best on 100 - 150 g of carbs per day and they are high-quality carbs: veggies, oatmeal, brown rice, whole grains etc. I don't eat bread, pasta, flour, or any kind of sugar. I limit dairy and fruit because of the sugar they contain (lactose and fructose). Because I have used Fitday since the beginning to track my protein, carbs, and fat, I can see exactly what works and what doesn't. My ideal diet ends up looking like about 50% protein, 25% carbs, and 25% fat.

I would be kidding if I said it was easy, but has it been worth it? A thousand times "yes!" So if you are hypothyroid and stuck in the same cycle of lose a little, gain a little more, perhaps you might want to try a lot of exercise and lowering your carbs and see if it works for you.

Meg
257/135
57.7%/12.4% body fat

Hello Ladies, :flow2:
I have found out more information on this board than the 13 doctors I have visited who are all Endocrinologists. In 1984 after my last child I weighed 136, which was 18 pounds more than my normal weight, but at 34 years old I needed it and liked the way I felt and looked with the add'l weight. By the time my baby was 4 months old I weighed 184, and dead dog tired the dr. said, "You just had another baby... of course you're tired, you need to eat less and exercise more." He never checked my thyroids, by 1995 I weighed 232 pounds.

Suddenly I started losing weight rapidly, in 2 months I lost 63 pounds, had menstral problems, rapid heart beats, a panic attack, perspiration poured off me (I never perspired before that) and spent a night in the hospital to run tests to make sure I hadn't had a heart attack. I had the usual hair, skin, nail, and memory problems, I shook worse than Katherine Hepburn. My new dr. found that I was hyperthyroid and sent me to an Endo. who treated me with radiation iodine. Now I have no thyroid function at all, that left me Hypothyroid. I solely depend on Levoryl, he started me on a low dosage .75 to my current dose of .250. I feel no better today than I did before this nightmare.

This year I hit the highest of my weight ever, about 316-320! I rarely touch food, no appetite... I recently started using the WATP tapes and I've lost 6 pounds, but I need to improve my eating habits and eat to fuel up. I'm truly interested in this Armour med. Does it sound like something for me who have no thyroid function at all? I was a person who never sat still before this, I do move alot throughout the day, but I'm sick and tired of dragging my overweight siamese twin around.
All in all I'm still a happy camper :flow1:

Calil-

I feel very badly for you. I can't be;iev all you have been through.:( I don't think I would sound a positive as you do if that happened to me.

I am on Bio-Tech thyroid wich is also a natural thyroid similar to Armour thyroid. Have you been on thyroid.about.com? That is very helpful. Are you on Atkins or a low carb plan? It does or supposadly does help with the insulin.

I've only been on thyroid meds for a little less than 2 months and really haven't seen any marked improvement. I'll keep you posted.

Randi:cool:

Hi Randi, :)
Thanks for your reply. It's sad when you look for the medical profession to help you understand. When I use to question dr's about my situation and they couldn't answer my questions, the first thing they would say is, "Are you in the medical field?" I told them yes, "I'm a Histotechnologist, Electron Microscopist etc... Then I watch them gracifully rush me out.

I found myself in the medical library at the university where I use to work and read that it was still a mystery to most dr's, the Internet confirmed that in so many ways. I was prescribed Synthroid in '95 which later became a Civil Law Suit, so I was put on Levoxyl, without my knowledge, it's one pill dosage goes as high a .300, they have me taking a 2 pill dosage of .50 and .200. It still isn't enough to help me warm up, or get moving. It's 42 degrees outside, I'm typing this with a thermal blanket across my lap at my present weight, I should be boiling. I've been up and down the stairs at least 6 or 7 times today (laundry day). Today at 12:15 I had half an Arby's roast beef sandwich, a reg. 7up and 2 glasses of water, I'm still full. Whats up with that?

I've been to thyroid.about.com, it's a good site, once I tried to actually diet, I did WW 17 years ago when I thought I was heavy, ha ha, I lasted 3 weeks.

I'm learning more about the binding, receptors, etc... I was taking a calcium tablet everyday when I took my thyroid pill. I found out the calcium pill was not helping it to bind. Now why couldn't the dr's tell me that? I did it for 2 years before I was read the info myself. My nails grow fine and so does my hair, but my skin is still dry and coarse in some areas, some days I feel lethargic, or am I confusing it with boredom. :dizzy:

I have to stay positive, because I know there are others with health problems who are worse off than me. It's encouraging for me when I read these posts. I'm glad I don't have a food problem :cbg: its a gotta get moving problem
:cb: :dance: :dancer:

Hi Meg

Congratulations on your WOWSA weight loss! I have heard it would be very hard to lose weight when you are hypothyroid but you have proven to us all that all it takes is hard work and dedication. I have to lose more than 150 lbs myself and am so overwhelmed about that amount that I just sit at the computer desk feel sorry for myself and cry because it just seems too much to handle. My husband and I are going to join "the Place" here that for $25 a mo. we can both use the weight room, the open swims and the basketball court...even we can afford that. It will have to wait until the New Year though because I am going back home to Canada for an early Christmas with my family.

I was curious about the weight thing vs dosage because my sister who had such awful symptoms was at a high weight only 180 and ended up at the highest dose of .75 and now at my high weight of 300+ and not having any really bad symptoms...have already gone up to .112 ...which isn't that high compared to others. I just don't understand how a thyroid works I guess and with the exception of a young dr. drawing me a picture of how the thyroid affects all organs...I haven't been too informed by any supposed expert.

I think I'm also going to try out a lower carb diet...but then again I need to get more educated on that too.

Thanks for the help and inspiration! Take care.
:df:
Kim

Hi Kim,
I can identify with you, we have some things in common. I'm my own worst enemy. I let obstacles get in my way. I take care of everyone else except me. Everyone here has been so encouraging. Meg and QuilterinVA proved we can be successful in losing weight. Like you... I have to look into the carbs and make it a 'MUST PRIORITY' to do cardio and strength training several times a week to get my figure back.

Did anyone see Oprah last week where Nancy Wilson's daughter lost 300 plus in a year by cutting out sugar and going low carbs?

I'm was hoping for 2 years in losing mine, but this sparks a new hope that I can do it in a year to 18 months.

Hi Calil

I didn't see that episode of Oprah, although I wish I had. I was seriously considering weight loss surgery, but that was just too scary for me and so drastic and somewhat dangerous that I forgot about it. My main goal for losing weight is to be able to get pregnant and have an easier pregnancy and delivery. After 1.5 years of ttc I have come to the conclusion it is solely because I am so much overweight. How much weight do you have to lose? I don't know if your goal is realistic but there is no reason not to try (I might get hit with a brick by those who will say 1-2 lbs a week is the only healthy way to do it...) and I say that because I'm going to be 30 next August and I'm going to work like a dog to get most of what I need to lose off so I can start working on getting me some cute little ones running around.

Take care
:df:

If you try to lose an average of more than 1-2 pounds a week you'll screw your thyroid up even more. If you really want to lose, go to a dietician (registered) and work with her. I did and it was wonderful. She customized the plan to my tastes and I'm eating more than I ever though possible.

As far as the doctor not telling people about what to take with thyroid meds and what not, READ THE PHAMPLET THAT COMES FROM THE PHARMACY it's important you take care of yourself in this regard and also ask the pharmacist. He's the one that can answer these questions.

Hi Kim, I wish you all the healthiness in bringing new life into this world. There's nothing like those little bundles you'll love more than yourself... until they're about 13, then you'll wanna make 'em a gleam in their daddy's eye again :) What's ttc?

I need to lose 170 to put me at my goal weight, between 136 and 142. I've decided to do Richard Simmons' Food Mover, it's more my style. I'll also do various cardio and weight training alternately 6 days a week.

I'll be 51 this month, married, 5 kids, all grown. I retired myself in 2K, and for the most part I wanted to sit home and vegge out for awhile. I didn't think it would take 2 years to catch up. Those early mornings, getting up at 3:30 am had taken its toll. Now I have no excuse not to lose the weight.
Time to get busy and follow my signature! :strong:

Deep inside I still feel like the cheerleader and dancer I use to be, even tho' my body's in denial. :)

I agree with QuilterinVA, when I lost those 63 pounds in 2 months, I had to be slowed down to "We can't find her pulse", speed, I felt like Meryl Streep in the movie, "Death Becomes Her". I had baggy knees and the skin around my ankles were like those scrunch socks.

One day I will see my clavicle and ankle bones again :)
You guys have a good weekend.

Hi All,
Stumbled across this thread and I'm glad I did. Lots of good info. I've been on Synthroid for 9 years now and Hormone Replacement Therapy - I'm 48.

We used to joke that they never set your thyroid meds high enough to make you actually feel good again but I was encouraged by what I've seen here in the posts that maybe I don't have to accept how I feel.

The intolerance to cold gets worse every year. Been sleeping with an electric blanket since Sept. My husband has his on 2 and I've got mine on 10. He said if he rolls too close to me it's like laying right in front of the camp fire. But it's the only way I can keep my ice cube feet and hands warm. Sometimes I get so cold inside I have to sit in the bathtub to warm me up. With winter approaching, I'm not looking forward to another 6 months of cold.

2 things that peaked my interest from what I read here if someone would be kind enough to elaborate....

One was something about calcium supplements - I've been taking calcium tablets for years now and I take them in the morning with my thyroid pill. Can that be interfering with the thyroid medication? I did go to our subscription drug plan's website and looked up Synthroid but didn't see anything about interactions with over the counter meds or supplements. I did get a new doctor this year and she told me not to take the HRT and Synthroid together so I take the Synthroid, vitamins and supplements in the a.m. and the HRT at night.

Also too you talked about low carbs, higher protein. I have been a poster child for failure at WW more than once and have been unable to lose weight for years. This summer I started a new diet plan that is customized for your body type. Basically it reduces sodium intake, processed sugars, fats and does have the balance of complex carbs and protein similar to what you've talked about. Add to that 3 quarts of water a day, a sound exercise plan and for the first time in 15 years, I'm finally able to lose weight. My question has to deal with carbs. On this diet it was very limited - rice, rice noodles (the only type of "pasta" that was allowed), potatos - red, white and yams, squash and oatmeal. Pretty limited and after 6 months sort of boring. Any other recommendations on "good carbs". I know that simple carbs - bread, wheat pasta, etc are no nos.

I will go take a look at about.com's thyroid site but any advice you can provide would be welcome. It was so great to hear that you CAN overcome the problems, if you know what to do. Thanks...

Hi Happy2bme,

I was the one who mentioned taking calcium. My dr. recommended it, but didn't tell me when to take it. I took it every morning for a couple of years with Synthroid, which is what I was taking at the time. I was also taking Furosamide, (blood pressure/diretic), I had no idea it was a diretic too, so everything just kinda went down the toliet. When clinical personnel ask what meds you're taking they should see by the charts and let you know how and when to take them.

After reading several articles like the ones below I decided to take it after dinner. It upset me when I read the articles, because it could have possibly helped me from the symptoms in the beginning. I still have problems, but not like before.

I suggest talking to your Physician and Pharmacist for correct information. I wish this subject matter had been around when I first started. A lot of us are blind with no leads.
Hope this helps...
Take care,
Calil


http://my.webmd.com/content/article/1728.58215

http://www.orthopodsurgeon.com/calciumcitrate.html

http://www.cooperfitness.com/content...asp?DocID=1484 (Go half way down the page for the calcium article.)

Thanks for the helpful info Calil. I'm going to switch out my calcium to the evening. That link on alternative medicines and supplements was also very interesting. Found several supplements I'm taking that may interfere with the estrogen.

Take this, don't that that, sure is alot of conflicting and confusing information. Guess it's best to journal and monitor. I did talk to my doctor earlier about diet and exercise. She is a gyne and prescribed my thyroid medicine based on a review with an endocrinologist collegue on my blood tests. She knew I was taking calcium but didn't mention about interactions. I was thinking of seeing an endocrinologist myself but I admit I was concerned about having the same kind of experiences you were. 10 doctors! Hopefully #10 was the one you found yourself comfortable with.

I have noticed a marked difference when I stick with lots of water and exercise - both cardio and strength training. The exercise seems to have more of an effect than the food although they do go hand in hand.

Thanks again...

just an fyi for more medicine interactions...don't take a multivitamin with your thyroid either. and you should take the thyroid stuff on an empty stomach, and not eat for at least 20 minutes. and no high fiber meals after the dosing...i think for at least an hour or so.

i live in san jose, ca, and if anyone wants to see my dr, i can recommend her. she isn't an endocrinologist, but she knows her stuff, because she's been though this too.

i want to change my hmo doctor (i see the above dr independently, and pay for the visits myself) though. when i went for a physical, she didn't really seem to give a damn, even after i talked about my thyroid issues and family history. her only comment was that i should exercise more (i'm about 165 at 5'9), and did i think i could fast the 12 hours necessary for the bloodwork.

the sad thing, is that my hmo knows she's a bad doctor. all the doctors that i've had who have been qualified and helpful get promoted and get away from actual patient interactions. she's been in her same role for quite a while, so i don't think she's going anywhere.

sorry to rant. i'm just so annoyed at how condescending she was. anyways, off to walk the dog and bake a birthday cake.

Also, wheat pasta is not a simple carb. You need to eat complex carbs. These are the brown rice, whole wheat breads and pasta, whole grain breads like rye, oatmeal. Simple carbs are sugars, white flour and stuff like that. Complex carbs are needed for brain activity...hypos get enough of the foggy brain without adding to it.

Hello Ladies,
Just want to share a success story with you.

Today I had a dr's appt. I mentioned in a post last week that I have a new dr. What I didn't mention is... when I met her in 2001 she looked to be a size 26, brunette, and was on WW. Well, today 18 months later she's more than 120 #'s lighter, blonde and looks all of 130 #'s. I didn't know who she was when she came in the room, she looked great, man was I inspired! At the same time I felt like a failure.

I'm genuinely happy for her and her family. We discussed my plans for weight loss, she agreed it was a good one and to give myself the time I needed... she was very encouraging.
I could see the smiling message in her eyes that it can be done, she'd been there, done that and this was the time for me to get it together, she said, "Your in good health, I'll see you in a year."

I've read the success stories on the forums, but this is the first time I've ever seen it with my own eyes!
I know... a year can make a big difference if I work hard.
:cb:

Half the battle as we all know is what you put in your mouth and how much you move. The mystery and frustrating part is getting the right information to help you along the way. They really need people who are knowlegeable to recognize that everyone is different and we have different needs. There is a tendency in the medical community to just give a "blanket" fix to everything and it doesn't work that way. Also you can get alot of information on the Internet these days but just like having a baby, it gets to the point where one thing conflicts with another and which do you believe?

I have tried for a long long time to lose weight unsucessfully. It wasn't until this year that I started doing more research. Nothing is better than someone who's been there before and is willing to share what helped them. That's why the tips and suggestions you have provided have been so beneficial. I went through the old treads and got a great deal of information I can use to make some changes in my life that will hopefully be more beneficial and get me on a steady road to success.

I must admit that I was amazed by your success Quilter and found much inspiration in what you have accomplished. And it's not like you've done it by going off the deep end. You have limitations to deal with and you have been so successful that it proves to me that with the right plan and the right information, I too can walk in your shoes some day.

That's also great Calil that you could see a success story for yourself. Hopefully the doctor was willing to provide you with some good information also.

Trixiepup sorry to hear about your doctor. That has been my experience with the organized health care now a days. I'm grateful that our plan lets us pick any doctor we want. It's more expensive out of pocket but I am much happier with the quality of care we receive. I am making another appointment with my doctor, this time to focus on diet and I will ask for a referal to an endocrinologist or nutritionist based on what she thinks. She is very interested in overall good health so I don't think there will be a problem. And if I have to go through a few doctors before I find one, then I will do it.

I did try brown rice for the first time today. I don't like wild rice so I was hesitant but it is actually quite good. Has a sort of a nutty flavor to it. Was glad you recommended it Quilter, this will help me expand my complex carbs and add more needed variety to my plan.

Thanks again for the info ladies...

happy2bme, i don't know if you are in a trader joe's area, but they have a wild rice medley that is yummy. it has all the healthy brown rice, with some added texture in the form of wild rice. my mom and dad like it, which is saying a lot, since they are pretty picky.

you might also want to check out some of the asian noodles...some are made from soy, i think, so maybe they might be more of a protein than a carb?

Hi Trixiepup,
Yes we do have a Trader Joe's in the area, we get their monthly flier. To be honest, I haven't mustered the courage to go in there. I love places like that and do have a tendency to go overboard - like a kid in a candy store. Have to decide if I buy Christmas presents or blow it all at Trader Joes :lol:

I thought soy was a bad mix with thyroid meds. Maybe I'm confusing it with something else?

Kim, don't think about the total amount of weight you have to lose. I set my self small goals - "I'm going to lose 20 pounds." and worked toward that. The big number will take care of itself. You know you get great health benefits by losing just 10% of your weight so why not aim for that?

Am learning so much from everyone here. So much more to go. Synthroid seems to be helping but not totally yet (maybe never?). I have just reached the 10% of body weight lost and am going at it one day at a time with five pound mini=goals.

Amazing loss, QinV.

Hi everyone!

Thank you all for you support and advice. I'm sure you've heard it before...but I'm so glad that I am not the only one going through all of this. When I last tested the dr. said I was a 4 which he said was in the normal range...and I have heard that to feel better it's best to be a 1 or a 2, maybe my dr. is old school and hasn't kept up on the research?? I really would like to find someone new but at my size I'd hate to go through the embarassment of first time pap and most of my body exposed cause of the size of that tiny blue gown thing. I have known him so long and it's comfortable (or as comfortable as possible for a man who is so against my size) I keep hoping if I lose weight he'd treat me a little better...fingers crossed anyway.

I'm reading and rereading the Atkins diet book and keep hearing a lot more on the news about the benefits...it sounds very simple. I have somewhat small goals 50lb increments but I think I really would be better off trying to go smaller...my mind is so overwhelmed with the 200+ that I have to go..

Have a good day ladies!!
:df:
Kim

Not everyone feels good at 1 to 2. You might need to have Cytomel added to your meds to feel better. Don't let ANYONE treat you badly because of your size. We all deserve to be treated with respect.

kim, if your doctor is rude to you, you should get a new doctor. you are paying good money in premiums of doctor visits, and you should be treated with respect.

happy, yes, soy isn't that great for thyroid people, but from what i've read, the tests were done using 60grams of soy protein a day. most of the soy products i eat are about 10g at the max. i like the variety it gives me. i just be careful to not eat soy at every meal. i think moderation is key.

Well you folks have opened a door for me. Have done research and decided to see an endocrinologist on my own. (My gyne has been doing the bloodwork, prescribing the meds and consulting with a collegue (sp?) endo on her side.

I have been on Synthroid for 9 years and never felt that it really did the job tho my T4 levels are where they should be. I'm hoping a change in meds and more information will get me to a better place. I am so ready to be over with the poor sleep, lack of energy and most of all FREEZING all the time. Winter is just starting - might as well put me outside, hang a few lights on me and I can be Mrs. Frosty.

I see the new doctor on Monday. I'm just hoping this one does the trick but I am prepared to keep searching until I find one that I can have a comfortable relationship with.

And it's all because of the great info I got over here... Thanks!

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a year ago and I am taking Levoxyl. Another drug interaction to be aware of is with your birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. Estrogen effects the absorption of thyroid meds. My obgyn (who diagnosed me) never told me this. I was taking them both together and I found out the hard way not to do this. I would have night sweats, day sweats, jut felt crappy all the time, heart palpatations. After doing some online research, I started taking one med in the morning and one last thing at night .. and my symptoms went away. I don't take anything within 4 hours of taking my levoxy. No vitamins or other drugs. Also .. make sure your multivitamin doesn't have iodine or kelp in it. Both of these can affect your thyroid.