Hypothyroidism

[mtnlaurel]

I know a few of you have mentioned having hypothroydism (underactive thyroid)

What has your experience been?
Other than the needed medicine to get your TSH levels right are there other things you are doing that help?
What questions do I need to be asking my dr.?
Have you had any negative side effects from certain treatments?

I was diagnosed with this last summer and started taking levothyroxine. My TSH levels were not where they need to be, so the dose has been doubled.

It will take 2mo. before I have my blood check again to see if this is the right dose - but within 3 days of the new dose, I felt as if a veil has been lifted in my brain. I feel so much more clear headed and my 'old self' than I have in ages.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?

[CathyA]

Just curious mtnlaurel, what were all your symptoms? Were your levels really low?

[mtnlaurel]

Just curious mtnlaurel, what were all your symptoms? Were your levels really low?

I am certain that I am screwing up terminology below....

When going for full exam to a new doc, she said my thyroid felt enlarged on my neck.
Then I was sent for x-ray of neck.
Then TSH levels tested.

I cannot recall the # though, so I don't know if it was 'really low' or not.

Re: Symptoms
- Weight Gain
But I have not been eating/exercising properly/consistently forever and it seems to finally be catching up with me
- Mental Dullness
I have felt bananas for a long time, but we have been under considerable stress on many fronts for years

[fidgiegirl]

I have Hashimotos Thyroiditis, and that's why I had to go off gluten. Straight hypothyroid isn't the same thing, but Hashis results in hypothyroid (usually). I found this series of videos to be helpful recently. Straight levothyroxine isn't always the answer.

I came to discover mine much as you did - my practitioner first palpated an enlarged thyroid. It still is, and lately I've felt really "choky," like someone is ever-so-lightly pressing on my throat, but all the time. It stinks. Anyway, I am hoping to add Cytomel, a T3 hormone to the Levothyroxine, a T4 hormone. Don't ask me to explain more, that's all the further I can get :) Still understanding it myself.

The video series: Hope for Hashimotos. (http://hopeforhashimotos.com/hashimotos-video-series/) You will find video #1 most helpful, I think. But maybe the cause of your hypo is Hashis? Worth checking out. They determine it's Hashimotos because you will have a lot of anti-thyroid stuff, like your body is attacking it. TPO is the test.

[Tiam]

I don't know what helps. I had such low levels they said I should have been in a coma. It was really funny in a way. Because my symptoms were not being able to sleep. That's it. I went in and got the blood work done and then after that everyone treated me with kid gloves, walking me about, holding my elbow, giving me a seat, asking me how I was. I felt fine. I was a single mother of 4 young children. You just don't stop when you have young kids. I didn't know I was ill. But, the meds are simple. I still have what I consider to be hypothyroid symptoms...dry skin, hair, trouble with sleeping, never lost the weight, or gained energy, so I don't know what was to be gained. I asked what would have happened if I hadn't had come in for a test. They said I probably would have just layed down for a nap and never woken up. I never felt that way though. And they promised me I woudl feel SO much better once I stabilized, but that never happened. So, I am not much help. I just have to take their word for it that I'm better off.

[Amaranth]

One of my friends has a thyroid problem with mixed other complications which they gradually figured out once they discovered that thyroid medicine wasn't enough. In further testing, they discovered her iron was low. So they upped her iron intake but still her blood iron levels were low. In further testing they discovered that she could not digest B12 from food or pills, so they finally started giving her B12 injections every few weeks. Then her body could absorb and use the iron.

One other place I can think to check for ideas would be Dr. Fuhrman's website (Eat to Live book) as he is good about collecting info on the most current medical data and treatments(especially which foods help or hurt a condition) for a wide variety of health conditions. Also the other users on the forum there are great at developing recipes that are well suited to particular medical conditions, so you can find new recipes that other people have tested for taste.

[Mrs. Hermit]

I was diagnosed with thyroid failure (yup, failure) at 17, and started on meds. It took a while to find the right dose (too little, and you feel no different; too much and you feel like you mainlined caffine). I had to be careful of my levels during pregnancy, with the docs doing frequent blood test. During one pregnancy, I ended up having to more than double my usual med dose. I get a blood test and exam done every year to assess my blood level, and to see if I'm feeling ok. I've learned through trial and error that not all thyroxine is the same. I need the name-brand stuff as the generic doesn't work for me. Since I have other medical issues and digestive issues, I assume the generic didn't work because I couldn't digest it right.

Other than having to train myself to take a pill daily, I really haven't had any trouble with the medicine in 35 years of taking it.