Anyone here with thyroid problems ?

[TracyR]

Just thought I'd check and see if anyone here has this problem too .
About a few years ago I found out I had hypothyroidism . I think I had the problem my whole life though .
Tests came back saying my levels were off and my blood sugar was a little high too . So I was put on .25 mcg of synthroid and blood sugar pills . I felt GREAT for the first time in my life ever . I ended up losing 55 pounds through diet and exercise at the time and then had gotten pregnant with my 4th daughter . I still did wonderful . Then life happened . My daughter was born with multiple health problems ( not genetic or hereditary ) and the stress of it all was so overwhelming as we had no one to support us . The traveling and eating out in hospitals and fast food on the go while traveling a 100 miles to a Children's hospital just packed the pounds on .
Of course before packing on the pounds I started feeling crummy . Like I half work . My blood pressure was up due to lack of sleep ( long story ) and I went in to my doc to find out thinking my thyroid was acting up . All tests came back fine , my blood sugar , my thyroid , blood pressure went down as soon as my daughter started sleeping better through the night .
But I still feel sluggish during the day but at night I feel awake and fine .
I can't figure out what is going on . I still think its my thyroid . But all things are pointing fine to it .
Has anyone experienced this ? Also does anyone here treat their thyroid with something natural that makes them feel better ?

[Jean in Newcastle]

No answers here. But this fits me almost to a T. I want to hear any answers too!:bigear:

[Sue G in PA]

It would be helpful to know exactly what your TSH levels were. Some doctors consider a TSH of 5.0 "fine" when the patient is still complaining of fatigue, dry skin, memory issues, depressions, etc. The "new" normal levels for TSH is something like .5 - 2.0. If you are not feeling normal, I would first ask what your TSH was and then ask for an increase in your Synthroid or Levoxyl (whichever you take) AND if you are taking a generic replacement...STOP! It could also be that whichever replacement you are taking is not the "right" one. I felt horrible on Synthroid but fabulous on Levoxyl. Also, I never felt quite right unless my levels were down to around 2.0 to 3.0. Any higher and I was back to feeling like a zombie. I'm also convinced that levels over 3.0 played a role in my 3 miscarriages last year.

Have you read the book called Living Well With Hypothyroidism by Mary Shoman (I think that's her name!). Sorry, can't recall if that's it or not. Anyway, most doctor's treat your bloodtest results and forget to treat YOU! If you aren't feeling 100%...either see another dr. or ask this doctor to do a full thyroid panel or up your dosage a bit. BTW...I've had hypothyroidism since my 4th child was born 7 years ago. My levels were so high that my endocrinologist wondered why I wasn't DEAD! Scary. I'm much better know, but my levels still fluctuate from time to time.

[jkwynn]

I'll be watching this thread too. I'm currently having my thyroid tested.

In April, my TSH was 0.03.
In May, it was 5.53 :001_huh:
In June, it was 6.23

I'm STILL not on any medicine but I'm getting to the point where I want to change endocrinologists, too.

He wants "one more" blood test b/c he thinks I'm trying to level out? I have another test next month, and if he doesn't put me on something, I'm going elsewhere...and I'm not gung-ho for pills but it stinks to know something is wrong, and have to keep on testing for it. Natural remedies would be so great. I have a 10 month old and I'm GAINING weight instead of losing. :(

I've also had an ultrasound and uptake scan. The u/s showed (probably) benign nodules on the left side (they were hot?) and the uptake scan showed that I absorb lots, fast. *shrug*

[gamommy]

I'm considered 'sub clinincal' but have many symptoms. I have had some success with taking coconut oil and by taking B12. My energy level is up and I'm able to shed a bit of weight now.

[ChocolatePrincess]

I have been working out 5 days a week and watching what I eat most days. I haven't lost a pound or any inches in 2 months. I have to force myself to get out of bed in the morning. Thank God I have 3 kids to get up for or I might just stay in bed all day. I just went to the doctor and my levels are 3.02. I know from past experience that I feel better when my levels are around 1.0. Of course I was told they won't increase my dosage until I hit 5.0. I've been to 3 general docs and an endocrinologist and everyone says the same thing. No one listens......one doctor told me I'm probably tired and can't lose weight because I'm getting old. I'm 38! I'm tired of trying......maybe one day one of my children will be a doctor and I can get help!

Sorry I don't have any suggestions for help......just similar story! (and a little bit of a vent!)

[snickelfritz]

I went on Synthroid first. That did fine, for a while. After about 1 1/2 years, I started having issues. I switched doctors for various reasons.

The new doctor prefers Armour thyroid, which is somewhat controversial. She switched me to Armour, upped my dose, and has me take Kelp. Kelp has iodine, which is supposed to help your body use the thyroid medication. I take my Armour first thing in the morning and then take my kelp with breakfast. It's an over the counter, although there is only one pharmacy in my large city that carries the kind that she wanted me to take.

She also found that I was low in progesterone and I added that at the same time that I made the other changes. With that disclaimer, I feel much better with the changes.

[Sue G in PA]

I have been working out 5 days a week and watching what I eat most days. I haven't lost a pound or any inches in 2 months. I have to force myself to get out of bed in the morning. Thank God I have 3 kids to get up for or I might just stay in bed all day. I just went to the doctor and my levels are 3.02. I know from past experience that I feel better when my levels are around 1.0. Of course I was told they won't increase my dosage until I hit 5.0. I've been to 3 general docs and an endocrinologist and everyone says the same thing. No one listens......one doctor told me I'm probably tired and can't lose weight because I'm getting old. I'm 38! I'm tired of trying......maybe one day one of my children will be a doctor and I can get help!

Sorry I don't have any suggestions for help......just similar story! (and a little bit of a vent!)


Keep trying new dr.'s until somebody listens. As I said, the new "normal" is much lower than what most dr's are still using as "normal". It is absolutely ridiculous that dr's won't listen to their patients and how they are feeling but choose to rely only on test results and some stupid textbook that tells them you "should be normal". I'm sorry your dr. is acting like this. Keep trying to find one that will listen. There are some out there!

[snickelfritz]

Keep trying new dr.'s until somebody listens. As I said, the new "normal" is much lower than what most dr's are still using as "normal". It is absolutely ridiculous that dr's won't listen to their patients and how they are feeling but choose to rely only on test results and some stupid textbook that tells them you "should be normal". I'm sorry your dr. is acting like this. Keep trying to find one that will listen. There are some out there!


She actually made the medicine changes after talking to me. Blood tests later verified that she was right. When I went in for my followup, she talked with me about my symptoms and didn't order any more blood tests.

[TracyR]

I'm hoping to find a doctor that will listen to me . I can't see an endo because the only one we have in our area doesn't take our insurance . Can't afford to pay out of pocket either . Sigh .
I know something is up with my thyroid . I just can't figure out what .
I know that when I started on the Synthyroid ( of course its generic form because its the only one my insurance will pay for and I have a low copay on ) I felt GREAT! It wasn't until sometime after I had my 4th daughter , I would say when she was about 8 months old or so that I began feeling icky . But everyone has attributed it to the fact I've had so much going on in my life too .
Ugh . Who knows . I just know I want to feel better . I just feel like I half work if that makes any sense . I don't feel like I want to sleep all day , but don't wake up feeling well rested . I feel a little cloudy all day until the evening time . I wonder why this is ?
I don't find myself starting in with school stuff until after dinner time because I have a tough time getting motivated to do the school work all day . I've had some on and off depression . But I feel like its not me , but just circumstances around me that is causing it . Things I just cannot change .
I've had this persistent stuffy nose . At night it bothers me when I lay down . When I'm awake and up it doesn't bother me at all .
Its good to know though that I'm not the only one going through this and that I'm not going crazy .

[Sue G in PA]

Something is certainly up w/ your thyroid. I've felt much like you have described in different points of my life since my diagnosis. Thyroid can act up for any number of reasons. With generic meds, unfortunately, you get just any old generic. It's not the same one everytime...various companies, various manufacturers, etc. So, you might not be getting the exact same dosage or strength each time you order it. Does that make sense? I read about that in Mary's book I recommended. If your dr. writes out the prescript. and writes "no generic substitutes", will your insurance pay for the real deal? My insurance co. mandated generic drugs as well, but my pharmacist told me about this and so I had my dr. write this on every Rx and it worked. Ins. paid for the read deal. Try it. AND, find out your actual levels and see if your dr. won't up your dosage.

[Babs]

I have hyperthyroid tendencies. I recently developed a skin rash on my lower legs that would not respond to anything the docs threw at it (I did refuse an oral steroid the doc suggested). I keep insisting that we get to the cause...derm hates this as he prefers to treat symptoms. I finally (after 4 dif docs in 3 dif specialties) went to my nutritional counselor (R.N. also) who had lots of advice. I had to go off of all sources of iodine (salt, uniodized sea salt, eggs, fish/seafood) and also am going gluten free. The no salt diet is taking care of the rash. Going gluten free has made me feel SOOO much better and I lost weight so fast. Is it fun? No, I love breads. But I love feeling good more than bread so it is a trade off - like everything! And I just eat the foods I am allowed and don't worry about quantity.

I am also being tested for gluten sensitivity. Gluten is not an allergy in the traditional sense - if you are gluten intolerant then it actually damages your intestines which makes it difficult for your body to absorb nutrients. So, this may then cause secondary problems, such as the thyroid problems, that seem to be the main problem. The good news is that if you avoid gluten then your intestines will heal in 95% of the cases. The blood tests for gluten sensitivity are not 100%. I am going through a lab for my tests which include a gene test. Send me a message if you want more info.

I eat a diet high in protein (meat) and LOTS of veges and some fruit. I add in brown rice and potatos for substance. We are now in a time when gluten is a problem that has become more common so there is good labeling and alt. products...IF this is a problem for you.

[Babs]

http://www.glutenfreeforum.com/index.php?showtopic=33432 -

This is a link to a gluten free forum that discusses the hypothyroid connection. You could also google both of those terms. I only bring this issue up to encourage you to find out if there is an underlying problem that needs to be addressed - you still need to follow your thyroid with blood tests (not just the TSH - there are others). But addressing an underlying problem may decrease or eliminate the need for meds. And that will decrease or eliminate the need to go see docs - which is a drain on time, energy and the budget IMHO.

HTH

[JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst]

Remember that being on too much Synthroid (or other such drug) is also bad for you (hard on your heart among other problems). It is a delicate balance of how much to take and it is so slow acting that the process seems to drag out.

After my middle child I felt off for almost 4 years. I started loosing weight and feeling good again after about 3-3.5 years despite my med levels being good.

Now that I have a baby again I'm back in the same spot. Still feeling lousy most of the time despite normal levels. I'm beginning to think it just takes time to get everything back in place-hormonally I mean.

Keep consulting the appropriate docs, be sure to try and eat right and exercise (it really helps-even just a walk). I wish I had better advice than wait but time does seem to help. I also think every one is different so don't give up on the docs just yet-find someone to help you.

[Christine]

I don't have thyroid issues, but DH has been diagnosed with hypo-. I did a ton of research on it (don't have it readily available at the moment. . .). It doesn't do DH any good though, as he's military, and his docs could really care less. (They are more concerned with his cholesterol level. . .which, by the way, could be impacted by his hypothyroidism.) Drives me insane!

The general test is TSH, but there are other levels that could be checked as well for a more specific result.

However, there is a "new" test out that is supposedly more accurate, but the medical field is slow in taking it on. That's the saliva test. Supposedly the blood test determines the level of hormone in your blood stream; whereas, the saliva tests actually gives the amount that your body is absorbing. (Make sense? You could have enough in your bloodstream; however, your body may not be absorbing all it needs to.)

I feel for you. . .best of luck in your research and getting your doctor to listen.

[tess in the burbs]

I had a sudden weight gain after college despite being a runner/exercise daily/weight lifting kind of gal. It wasn't until my eyesight was being lost that I convinced a Dr to even test me for thyroid problems! That was over 10 years ago.

Last summer I changed Drs and explained that while I can get my TSG to around 1.0 I still feel miserable. He let me try the Armour thyroid medicine. It took a few months and now I have to alternate dosage every other day to keep my TSH around 1.0 but wow, I feel much better. I don't have to nap anymore. While I still get tired b/c I am overweight I feel mentally there. It is a completely different normal than with the synthroid.

I have had some great Drs over the years that understood normal lab results don't mean you are ok. At 3.0 TSH I am gaining weight at the rate of over 10 pounds per month with dieting. I am sleeping 2-4 hours in the day. I am miserable. So when I moved here and the endocrinologists won't take appt's from patients and no PCP Dr would make me an appt I had to settle for their advice. And they could care less how I feel. In fact one let my TSH get to 4.0 and said she would not adjust my meds. UGH!

So you need a Dr who can work with you and find the right balance of medicine for your symptoms. Find your perfect TSH level. I used to get down to .40 but then I had the jitters. 1.0 is best for me. But normal people can be 4.0 and not gain whereas I would gas 20 pounds in a month, lol.

hope you can get back to feeling 'normal' soon!