raising hand

Yep, this one I'm experienced at! And let me add here that most doctors do NOT check for thyroid even at a physical unless you ask them to or there is other obvious reasons.

Mine became obvious because I had a huge tumor on the side of my neck... which believe it or not no one, self included, had even noticed until a surgeon I went to something minor noticed it immediately.

Anyway YES I had been gaining huge amounts of weight. Once I had the tumor removed and the meds regulated right I am losing the weight... and as you say, I too am not blaming the thyroid as I gave up and let things get out of control. And now I am eating right and moving my butt -- it is hard work but the weight is coming off and I feel great.

Also, please be cautious about "Internet diagnosis" as far as the proper meds for you IF your doctor does diagnose thyroid problems. I have been successfully taking L-thyroxine (synthroid) for a couple years now and doing great on it. There are those who strongly criticize it and of course perhaps it is not right for some. But it is fine for many of us; I have a friend also who takes it very successfully.

Anyway, yes I do strongly encourage you to follow through and have medical tests done.

I did have a thryoid test done last time around. I had near-liver-failure following the birth of my second daughter, and my OB was concerned it would affect my other organs. Since the pregnancies were so close together, she ordered a screening on EVERYTHING.

Hey, it just seems to me that when your friend, a quasi-medical student, has a quasi-diagnosis and you have questions about it, and post your concerns, you are bound to get a number of issues raised. I don't think anyone has "diagnosed" you -- there are a number of reasons for a "buffalo hump" other than being fat or having a thyroid condition. I think that people here are trying to help, not hinder your search for an answer. All I can suggest is that if you don't want any advice, don't ask for it!!! And you never know, you just might discover that SOME of the people who log onto this website are actually doctors, who have good advice, and would SUGGEST further tests WITHOUT diagnosing you online (which would be irresponsible, illegal, and actionable by a Board Licensing Agency). After all, why not take advantage of someone else's 7 years of University training, but I digress...

I'm...sorry?

Has a bug crawled into everyone's panties lately? I ask for anyone's experience (not advice first off but am willing to listen) and clarify two pieces of information and suddenly I'm being harangued for it?

For FURTHER clarification, the buffalo hump came up with my doctor when I had all my tests run. She said, at the time, that the two main causes are being fat (which I am) or having a thyroid problem (which was not detected at the time). She said all other causes were not applicable to my situation.

But I digress...

Not mine! I thought you asked a very reasonable question.

This is good information!!! I just went to the doctor yesterday and he found a large lump on my thyroid... I go back in on Monday for an ultrasound and needle biopsy. *hugs* to all of you!

Val, sorry about your lump but so glad you found it! The vast majority of thyroid lumps are totally benign. I studied this all out when I had mine. And even if you need surgery to remove it, I had it and it was not bad at all. I didn't even take my pain meds after I got home though of course everyone is different. After the first week or so it was just a nice reason to be off work for a while. Though of course I had to eat mushies, not drive or lift for a while. But you may not even need that.

You are in my prayers!!! Hope that is okay with you. Please be sure to let us know what the tests reveal.

I have a multi-nodule goiter. It was discovered during an MRI after I had cervical spinal fusion. I was sent to an Endocronoligist. He did blood test and sonograms. My thyroid hormone levels were in range but on the low side. I ask if taking the Synthroid would help the goiter and he said that there is not scientific evidence to prove that it would help. I choose not to take it. A year and a half later my thyroid hormone levels are closer to the middle range. I used to take synthroid meds. for 1984 - 1992. I used to get really sick to my stomach when I would miss my pill. Then in 1992 I started getting sick to my stomach almost everyday even when I took it. I was in a hurry one day to get to work, so I forgot to take my pill and later I noticed that I didn't get sick. So when I realized what happen I decided ti do an experiment. I took it the next day and got sick. I didn't take it the next day and was fine. I went to the Dr. and he took blood test and said that my thyroid levels where fine. I stopped taking the meds. with his permission. I don't like to take any meds. so I was very happy to not to have to take it.

That is great that you were able to go off the meds! I don't think that is likely to happen for me as half my thyroid and one parathyroid is gone. Still my doctor waited six weeks or so before putting me on meds as sometimes the other half picks up. Then I went on a lower dosage for another six weeks but she had to raise it up one notch and test again... this time it was normal so I don't get tested for another year. But I appreciate my doctor working to make sure I take only what I really need! I agree completely that it is best to take only what you need and great if you don't need any!

Misti in Seattle - I certainly agree with you about taking what you need. I took it when I needed it and will do it again if the need arises.

I just wanted to share my experience.

Yes, I did understand that was what you meant! I just meant to be expressing my happiness for you that you were able to successfully go off of it!

They completely killed hubby's thyroid, but they still didn't put him on synthroid for about 2 months as his TH levels were just so doggone high. When they first had him on methamasol, they had him take double the recommended dosage to try and regulate his thyroid. It helped, but they could never get his levels down quite enough. His immune system was so out of whack, they wouldn't even give him permission to have dental work for nearly two years...and he desperately needed it. A tooth finally got so bad they were worried more about the infection from it than from the dental work itself. They also had to put him on atenalol to slow his heart rate down as it was beating way too fast. Not only did he have a goiter, and was getting the bug eyes, the doc had med students come in (the V.A.) and listen to something in his neck he called a broulee(sp?). He said it was extremely rare. My hubby...the test subject. He's now on syntroid for life to take the place of having no thyroid now.

They diagnosed my husband with one of those things as well ("broulee"). They said it was some kind of murmur that was weird but not life threatening. My husband's thyroid is really big...but they say it works fine.

It's great to hear that are some positive outcomes in this whole mess. I see my doctor on the 7th, so I'll find out what's going on then. My guess is that she'll also put me back on Zoloft (bleh) and start a diet pill that she wanted me to take before my last pregnancy - which is one of the reasons that I've avoided going to see her since then.

Ummm....why would your doctor put you on Zoloft and a diet pill-especially if you don't want to take them? Neither one of these meds are relevant to the reason you are going in to see her (testing for thyroid problems) and honestly-if you are going in for the testing-you do NOT have to take the Zoloft or diet pills, even if she gives you a prescription for them. They are not like antibiotics, or a sort of medicine that you really NEED. They are purely optional, and if you don't want them, and she mentions them-tell her so!! You have control over your own body. You don't HAVE to take anything a doctor prescribes for you.

(For instance-a lot of people refuse cancer treatments even-if they know they are terminal, and would rather live out their last days feeling "good" rather than sick from chemo.)

If the doc wants to shove diet pills down your throat (which I am personally AGAINST for weight loss) and you don't want the antidepressant-don't take them, or find a new doctor.

I have avoided going to see her because she wants to put me on those meds. My insurance limits which doctors I can go to, so she's my only choice.