[Globix]

Hello everybody. Hope you can give me some advice.

Had my thyroid removed at the end of July because of a mass, not cancer.

Previously, it had always tested in the 'normal' range even though I had a large, visible lump in my neck and many symptoms of being hypo, it was pretty much ignored til this fall when a new PA I saw demanded that I had an ultra sound. Then I saw a surgeon and it was removed fully because of the nodules/mass, etc.

They started me on 100mg of Syntharoid, after a month, I was moved up to 125 and have felt like crap since. I had it tested yesterday and today my reading was 12.61 and I was bumped up another 125. I asked about Cytomel and the PA was horrified! Said no way would she prescribe it.

But anyway, I suppose I have a ways to go to get my levels to 'normal,' but if I still feel crappy, I will demand to see an endo.

My question is what do I eat? I always had such a time trying to lose weight before and I'm even more worried now, I don't want to gain! Do I eat high protein? What do you guys suggest?

TIA!

[Sheila53]

I also don't have a thyroid--haven't since 1976. Not sure how to answer the eating question (although having frequent, small meals of a protein, carb and good fat work for me, and once your meds are stabilized, lack of a thyroid shouldn't prevent you from losing weight), but I want to address calcium. Not sure if you know that thyroid meds cause absorption problems with calcium. I ended up with osteopenia in my 40s because of it. So please increase your calcium and Vit. D, and be sure not to take any vitamins until at least a couple of hours after you've taken your thyroid meds.

[Ellen]

Eat low glycemic, healthy stuff, and avoid carbs as much as possible. Eat lots of vegetables. That works better for me than anything else.

On the thyroid issues, my doctor prescribed Armour, then later a specially compounded T3. If your doctor won't give you Cytomel, I think I would research other doctors in the area. Ask your pharmacist if any doctor around you prescribes Armour. Don't assume an endo will help. I went to one and he totally messed me up. I am now back searching for a doctor who can balance my thyroid meds so I feel better and can lose something. (the great one I had previously is not on my new insurance)

[QuilterInVA]

It took 2 years to get my thyroid medication to the dosage where I felt great and could function "normally" again.

[Globix]

Thanks for help, you guys. I have another appt. next week to see where I am, re: levels, and I'm going to ask for an appt. to see an endo. I'm tired of feeling so exhausted, burned out and weepy all the time. I know it takes time to get regulated, but I really want another opinion.