Wellness

[hoosieroriginal]

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@morganjen wrote:

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@morganjen Thank you for this chart!  I have spent the entire morning trying to figure out what my latest test results mean and have had no luck.  I have been having symptoms of thyroid disease, but my doctor said she wouldn't put me on meds yet - even though they are low.  According to this chart - my T4 is really low (0.8).

[Lacey1]

Had a complete thyroidectomy from papillary cancer about 11 years ago. I HAVE to take a synthetic thyroid hormone. My experience was that the endocrinologist told me to stick to one brand, don't switch. Well, due to job/insurance changes-I have gotten many different brands of levothyroxine-has not been any problem that I can tell.

About 2 years ago-I lost about 60 lbs from diet change/exercise. I really had no trouble losing weight and my dosage went way down.

So, IMO, don't believe all the myths about thyroid hormone replacement and hypothyroidism. You can lose weight-don't use it as an excuse. After you lose weight-you feel better physically and emotionally.You may be able to get off the meidcation completely. Good luck on your journey.

[SXMGirl]

As someone who had radiation therapy almost 20 years ago, I can offer a little advice.  Take your meds, eat a good diet, and exercise.  Be aware of how you feel over the course of a few weeks and let your doctor know.  Get your blood tests when ordered (in the beginning, I had a blood test every month for one year).  There are many side effects to hypothyroidism, but too many times, people only worry about weight gain.  While that is annoying, it is important to realize that almost everything in our bodies revolves around our thyroid.

Thinning hair is a side effect of hypo, but so is aging.  More older women are diagnosed with hypo than younger women, even though I was diagnosed originally as a teenager.  I know that my thyroid is off when I feel that I have waves of exhaustion just radiating over my body (sounds dramatic, but it is the only way to describe it), my eyes get really dried out, and my nails become dry, brittle, and break.

You need a doctor who you feel is on your side and taking you and your feelings seriously.  If that is not your doctor, find another one.  While I do not have an endocrinologist, my family doctor, who is female, also has thyroid problems, so she gets it.  I take my meds at night, but some doctors advise to take it in the morning one hour before eating.  I found that did not work for me.  What has worked most for me in the past 20 years is exercise.  I have been able to reduce my dosage significantly.   Have I lost lots of weight?  No, but I am healthy and that is really what you want.  Am I fat?  No.  Would I like to lose 20 pounds.  Probably.  Most important is that I feel good and that ultimately should be your goal.

Good luck.

[hoosieroriginal]

My T4 is reallyl low (at the bottom of the chart), I've been gaining weight even though I exercise every day, my hair has been falling out more than usual, and I've been very tired.  But my doctor has chosen to wait another 6 months and check my levels again before starting me on anything.  Both my sisters were on Synthroid very early in their life.  I guess I will go with my doctor's suggestion for now.  She said if anything changes to let her know.  I keep my blood records from my physicals each year and I realized my TSH is pretty close to what it was 4 years ago.  Please keep us updated on how you are feeling after you have been on your meds for awhile - good luck!

[tends2dogs]

@Yesyesyes568      T 4 converts to T 3.  If you are unable to convert T 4 to T 3, Levothyroxine or Synthroid isn't going to work for you because they only contain T 4.  If you are not getting any relief from your symptoms, I would be asking my doctor to try Armour Thyroid, a compounded dessicated thyroid.  It contains both T 4 and T 3. 

I have Hashimotos (involves the antibodies) autoimmune disease.  I go to a preventive clinic where they do bloodwork, but most of their dosage regulating is done by how I feel - symptoms.  Am I tired, do I feel emotionally flat, gaining weight, etc.  I have had this for maybe 8 years.  With Hashimotos, you can swing from hypo to hyper.  It is called a thyroid storm.  I have had that, too, and it isn't fun.  

What I am saying is that if I wasn't feeling better, I would ask for more help from my doctor or find one that will help.  You can feel better and the sooner the better.  This is something that will be ongoing for the rest of your life, but once you get it under control, you won't even think about it except when you take your pill .  All the best to you in finding answers and relief.

[tends2dogs]

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@hoosieroriginal wrote:

My T4 is reallyl low (at the bottom of the chart), I've been gaining weight even though I exercise every day, my hair has been falling out more than usual, and I've been very tired.  But my doctor has chosen to wait another 6 months and check my levels again before starting me on anything.  Both my sisters were on Synthroid very early in their life.  I guess I will go with my doctor's suggestion for now.  She said if anything changes to let her know.  I keep my blood records from my physicals each year and I realized my TSH is pretty close to what it was 4 years ago.  Please keep us updated on how you are feeling after you have been on your meds for awhile - good luck!

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@hoosieroriginal  I think it must run in families.  My mom had it and my sister and niece have it.  (and me)

[hoosieroriginal]

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@tends2dogs wrote:

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@hoosieroriginal wrote:

My T4 is reallyl low (at the bottom of the chart), I've been gaining weight even though I exercise every day, my hair has been falling out more than usual, and I've been very tired.  But my doctor has chosen to wait another 6 months and check my levels again before starting me on anything.  Both my sisters were on Synthroid very early in their life.  I guess I will go with my doctor's suggestion for now.  She said if anything changes to let her know.  I keep my blood records from my physicals each year and I realized my TSH is pretty close to what it was 4 years ago.  Please keep us updated on how you are feeling after you have been on your meds for awhile - good luck!

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@hoosieroriginal  I think it must run in families.  My mom had it and my sister and niece have it.  (and me)

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@tends2dogs - I thinks so too - I'm thinking about going back to her and asking her to put me on the meds.  I was just thinking about how the last two years my hands and feet get numb during the winter - I think that is a symptom also.  And the hair in my drain is much more than usual. 

[CLEM]

I had thyroid cancer so the thyroid has been removed back in 1981.  Have had weight problems ever since.  I don't know about migranes, but would not be surprised if that has also something to do with it.  Hope your doctor can keep it under control.

[tends2dogs]

@hoosieroriginal  When you say numb, do you mean cold?  I am always cold. That is a symptom of hypo.  Hair loss is another.  How do you feel emotionally?  The only way I could describe it to my PA was that I felt flat.  It is worth pushing your doc and getting help.  You will feel better and most likely lose weight.  Thyroid effects every system in your body.  When mine converted to hyper, I had heart palpitations, heartburn, it felt like I had a hot rod running through my body, and hair loss.  Plus I was starving, ate tons and lost weight.  I felt horrid.  This is Hashimotos and you probably don't have that.  My PA said these symptoms were because everything was speeding up.  Once off the meds for a week, I was fine.  This does tell you that hypo would be the opposite - everything slows down including your metabolism.

I hope you can find an answer. 

[A60_Chevy]

I am sorry to hear this information and I hope you have had a second opinion?  With the DX there is the a Biopsy, I am sure this is how you found out.  Many people have issues with weight gain and hair loss.  Some have experience with being very tired.  It could be genetic have you checked with anyone in your family to see if it is? this way you can have a map of how you want to handle it.  At some point you may be faced with removal of the gland if it grows or cause additional problems.  Be very PROACTIVE. I speak from knowledge not from guessing. Peace be with you.