Wellness

[Mom2Dogs]

My friend who has been just exhausted lately, was diagnosed with low thyroid, her doctor put her on meds.

Is there a difference between low thyroid and thyroid disease?

We were talking about it today and the question came up.  The specialist appointment she has is not until mid January so I thought I would ask here...we were just curious as to the difference.

thanks

[Icegoddess]

Thyroid Disease would encompass all problems with the thyroid, low thyroid aka hypothyroidism, high thyroid aka hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's Disease, etc.  

I have hypothyroidism and have never seen a specialist for it although many do.  From being on a Facebook group about my disease, it seems that seeing a specialist is about 50/50 whether it helps.  I just take my medcation and it's fine, but many will argue you need to be on this medcation or that medication.  It takes awhile for the medication to work. 

BTW, hope your friend's doctor also checked her Vit. D level.  That was my problem when I complained about being exhausted.

[Mom2Dogs]

@Icegoddess   Thank you so much..the doctor thinks her low thyroid issue came from a medication she is taking for a heart issue she recently had.  

At first she thought her exhaustion came from several personal setbacks...housing, job, then the heart issue.

I urged her to go to the doctor and they ran and EKG and also blood tests..that is where they found the issue with the thyroid.

I am so glad she went to the doctor...she is pretty stubborn and I was surprised she took my advice.

She will admit she is depressed over the personal issues but the exhaustion was just overwhelming...so much not to ignore.

[Mom2Dogs]

@Icegoddess ...grr, I could not edit.

I will ask her about the Vitamin D level.

[Icegoddess]

If you look up hypothyroid symptoms, there is a plethoria of them.  Exhaustion is a biggie, but I never had that.  Dr. thought I had a heart problem because I was having breathing problems and chest pressure.  Tell her not to give up on the meds; it takes weeks for them to work.  I'm sure her specialist will check her levels and may need to tweak it.  Many need to have it checked every 6 months or so, but I'm really stable, so only get mine checked once a year now. 

[millieshops]

@Mom2Dogs I actually had my thyroid surgically removed because of disease.  When the diagnosis was disfunction, that was treated with meds.  

[Boomernichols]

@Mom2Dogs Thyroid issues are rampant in my family, even thyroid cancer.  I had a biopsy done as requested by my dr and it was discovered I had a multi-nodular goiter, hashimoros, low thyroid and a vitamin d level of 11.  Your vita d should be between 25 and 60 he said.  I  currently take thyroid meds and vit d.  Tell her to be patient as itt will take a while to start to feel like a member of the human race again.

[Mom2Dogs]

She keeps saying I want to feel 'normal' again...she is just wiped out.

[jlkz]

Just a reminder:  don't drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit with thyroid meds.

Also, if the doctor prescribes Synthroid thyroid medication, don't let them substitute a cheaper medication.  There is a difference and it isn't the price.  ( Doctor should specify no substitutions on Rx. )

[Frenchlop]

When I get bloodwork, my doctors always want to check my thyroid. It always comes back normal. I had a psychiatrist years ago who thought bloodwork to test thyroid wasn't accurate.