I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was a child (maybe 11 years old or so?) and given a prescription for it. But my mother didn't keep up with medicating me (not sure why, probably something to due with not trusting conventional medicine). When I was about 13 or so we talked about it decided to try it again, probably because of my severe weight problem (I had lost weight at this point but was still very heavy) but the test came out negative and I apparently no longer had a thyroid problem. I've always assumed it was because I had started eating better and lost weight, moved more, etc. I haven't seen a doctor since then because I never had medical insurance.

I am tired almost all of the time. I wake up sleepy and I stay sleepy all day. It takes so much effort to get through housework, not to mention working out. I can do it, I push myself through 40 minutes to an hour five to six days a week, but most of the time I'm so spent after that I'm practically useless the rest of the day. Sometimes I can barely even cook dinner. I feel so lazy and irritable and frustrated because I want to do things but even thinking about it makes me tired. I end up snapping at my husband because I feel so bad. And I know that the amount of work I do shouldn't make me -that- exhausted.

I know that no-one can diagnose me over the internet, but I guess my question is, is it possible for me to have a thyroid problem even if the last time I was tested nothing showed up? If I did have a problem at one point?

I have medical insurance now because of my husband's new job, and we plan on going in for a check up sometime. I'm kind of scared to see a doctor at all it's been so long, I'd feel weird about saying "oh, by the way, could you check me for hypothyroidism?" I don't want him to think, oh great another person self diagnosing. I'm scared he's going to complain about my weight and not believe me when I say I exercise and am working on losing more. And it's likely that it's all in my head and I'm really just a lazy person. Should I just go in for a regular check up and see what the doctor says without bringing it up? Or maybe just mention the fact that I had been diagnosed and then, err, undiagnosed?

Sorry for the long windedness, but I've felt for a long time that something just isn't right with how I feel but I'm not sure what to do.

I would definitely get tested for it again. I was diagnosed at 14 with a rare condition where I cycled for a few years between hypo and hyper. So one month I'd be in a size 3 and the next month I'd be in a size 13. It finally settled into hypo and I remember my doctor saying there's no cure for it and I'd have to take the medication for life essentially. I'm used to be lazy (for lack of a better word) about taking my meds every day and used to experience a lot of the symptoms you described.

I mean, who knows, maybe you were just diagnosed wrong the first time and this is something different altogether, but you won't know unless you get tested. And I personally believe that your relationship with your doctor should be as open and honest as possible. Hope it all works out!

Thanks for the reply.

Oh, and I don't know if this matters at all but my grandmother had hypothyroidism. Though I don't think it's a hereditary thing??

A new doctor will want some health history. Just tell him/her that you've had thyroid trouble in the past.

And don't forget to ask him to test for Vitamin D deficiency. Seems almost everyone has it.

Hello there! This is something I do know about (pleh)

Yes, thyroid problems (both hypo- and hyper- can be heriditary. They are actually two sides of the same coin).

Also, thyroid readings can fluctate up and down (sometimes even reading as normal) even without taking your meds.

Your sysptoms sound exactly like hypothyroidism - i'd go get a bloodtest. If it comes back normal I'd get another one in 3 months. If nothing happens you'll be none the worse, and if it turns out to be hypothyroid you'll feel so much better on the meds.

Just my 2 cents, though.

I'm not a dr., I just stayed at a Holiday Inn Express

I actually have the same symptoms: Sleepy 24/7 even with proper rest, lack of energy, irritable occassionally and an inabililty to lose weight easily.

I have an appointment to get blood work this Tuesday. I hope I get diagnosed because maybe the meds will make me feel a little better than I do now.

Since you have a history of it, I'd definitely get it checked out. The symptoms you also described are also symptoms of sleep apnea. Definitely go to the dr!

I`m also hypothroid. I`ve been taking Synthroid for the last 7 years.

Ask your MD for a complete test. There is a regular thyroid test and then there is additional testing. Additional tests are T3 and T4 but I don`t remember exactly.

Just tell the MD you want a complete thyroid workup.

Also there is a great book called The Thyroid Solution by Ridha Arem, MD that you might be interested in.

Get this checked out because your thyroid affects all your organs. It is related to the liver and as the liver produces cholesterol, it`s related to your heart. I know, my liver enzymes are off and my cholesterol is pretty high.

Good luck and please let us know how it goes.

All the best,
HelenMay

Edited to add: Oh and re the MD - don`t be afraid. You are paying him and you have a right to ask for a test. Tell him your history and that you are extremely tired. I think MD will appreciate your desire to take better care of yourself and be healthy

Thank you all for your input. I never considered the possibility of hypothyroidism again after I was told by the second doctor there was no issue. It didn't occur to me there could be fluctuations in the reading. And also since it hasn't been very difficult to lose weight (if I stick to plan I usually lose steadily). But then my grandmother had hypothyroidism and didn't have a weight problem a day in her life. I'm not sure why I thought of it now either, it just kind of popped into my brain.

I told my husband I want to mention my thyroid history and current symptoms when we go in for the check-up, and to move finding a doctor off the back burner when we can. He agrees it's a good idea, and that if it isn't hypothyroid maybe we will find out that there is something else treatable (like the suggestion of vit D deficiency). He's noticed my fatigue and moodiness (irritability, sadness) too.

I always feel like I'm "making excuses" when I think about the idea of something being physiologically wrong with me, but I've decided it's not normal to feel so awful all the time.

You can test normally and still be hypothyroid. You might want to go to an endrochronologist instead of a family doctor. Since you mentioned being tired and moody, you may also want to talk to a psychologist about depression.

It's not making excuses at all. I think sometimes doctors ignore real illnesses in obese women because they blame it on being overweight when really the medical problem is contributing to the weight issue.

Good luck, I hope you feel better soon.